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HGR - September 2009

Mar 06, 2016

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Home Goods Retailder is a South African trade magazine for the retail sector.
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Page 1: HGR - September 2009

THINKING KITCHENhellip

THINK

Quality Home Appliances for more than 60 years

Home Goods Retailer

September 2009

CAREBAD E S I G N S

TEL 012 734 1171FAX 086 504 4941

CELL 082 926 3576 (ABLY)CELL 082 860 4696 (REHAAN)

E MAIL ablyyebocozaE MAIL rehaantmvodamailcoza

Oslo DRS

Manhattan BRS

ContentsSeptember 2009

Furniture Tradersrsquo Association of South AfricaMeubelhandelaarsvereniging van Suid‑Afrika

(011) 789 6770The FTA supports HGR but is in no official way associated with the magazine

NewslineGeen amp Richards celebrates 100 years of distinctive quality 3Andre Schoultz 8Final countdown for Furnex 10All things Wunder-ful launches in Cape Town in November 10New IT partner to improve Lewis relationships 10Court provides clarity on debt review process 11Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish 11Wetherlys opens in Woodhill 12400 disabled learners become mobile 12Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops 13

Talking PointsAussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick 14

Small Domestic AppliancesTefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water 16Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts 16Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine 16Who can resist a good looking Italian 17Kenwood all set for summer sun fun 18Thinking Kitchens Think Kenwood 19Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs 20Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens 20Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant 20LG bakes bread in the home 20Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week 20Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor 21New look for earth-friendly SA favourite Sodastream 21

Product ShowcaseLexmark Web-connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first 22LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience 23Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series 23Hisense continues to fly high 24Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word 26eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing 26Philips extends Bikini Perfect range to keep women looking gorgeous 27

Technology FocusPresenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs 28

GalleryAscot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex 29People on the move 29

Diaryimm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform 30Grand Designs Live coming to SA 30

3016143

Publisher amp Editor‑in‑ChiefIan Hughes

Email ianhgrcoza

EditorAurette Bowes

Email editorhgrcoza

National sales manager Frances Venter

Cell 072 607 5134

Email saleshgrcoza

Marketing consultant Cherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976

Email cearecruitmwebcoza

Design amp Layout Bianca Keenan-Smith

Email dtphgrcoza

Special Projects Kerryn McMurray

Email kerrynhgrcoza

Administration amp SubscriptionsSameera Hoosein

Email sameerahgrcoza

Office203 Melrose Place (formerly Willowbrook)

Willowbrook Close Melrose North

PO Box 41632

Craighall 2024

Tel (011) 447 9326 Fax (011) 447 9838

Email infohgrcoza

wwwhgrcoza

PrintingPark Avenue

Copyright on all editorial in Home Goods Retailer is owned by the publisher and reproduction without permission is prohibited The opinions expressed in Home Goods Retailer are not necessarily the views held by the editor or publisher We reserve the right to edit ndash for purposes of space and clarity ndash all editorial material and letters submitted for publication

HGR Team

Home Goods Retailer

A centenary celebration all about Furnex and coffee is good for youA hearty congratulations to furniture retailer Geen amp Richards which celebrates its centenary this year Originally founded in Johannesburg by Thomas Richards and Herbert Henry Geen the retailer today boasts no fewer than 65 stores countrywide testimony that distinctive styling and exclusivity remains the cornerstone of product selection at GampR

Still on the news front HGR is pleased to finally be able to bring its readers the long-awaited story on the closure of buying group Furnex no thanks to managing director Andy Simaan who at the time of going to print had still not kept his promise of providing comment or answers to the numerous questions I had put to him ndash in writing at his request

Our Talking Point this month is climate change and the viewpoint expressed by Prof Ian Simler that it is nothing but a ldquocon trickrdquo is intriguing and bears thinking about especially as more and more manufacturers and suppliers ndash the home goods industry not excluded ndash go all out to ensure their systems and processes are not endangering or harming the planet in any way I eagerly await readersrsquo comments on this issue

As the world economy starts to ease out of recession indications are that Christmas will certainly be at least a little less dismal than last year Our Small Domestic Appliances feature is jam-packed with the latest products on offer by suppliers from smoothie makers for summer to a toaster that prepares eggs and toast simultaneously

While preparing the feature I could not help noticing the increasing array of coffee machines available on the market Perhaps this is owing to new research conducted by Harvard which shows that drinking moderate amounts of caffeinated coffee regularly may actually have positive health benefits including lowering the risk of diabetes Parkinsonrsquos disease and colon cancer Therersquos also some evidence that coffee may help manage asthma and even control attacks when medication is unavailable stop a headache boost mood and even prevent cavities

Irsquod say that calls for another cup

facebook

Home Goods Retailer now on Facebook

Join the Facebook community and become a fan of Home Goods Retailer Stay up to date with the latest developments in the household goods retail industry plus keep track of what the HGR team gets up to

Editorrsquos Desk

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 20092

celebrates 100 years of distinctive quality

Serving the aspirant upper end of the furniture market since 1909 Geen amp Richards has become synonymous with products of distinction hence its positioning statement ldquoYour Distinctive Choicerdquo which is reinforced by a reputation of excellent customer service

One of the original Geen amp Richards stores

Newsline Geen amp Richards

3Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Providing great distinctive and exclusive furniture to their customers for 100 years and still ranking as one of the leaders in the furniture industry is certainly something for Geen amp Richards (GampR) to boast about

The furniture store was established in 1909 after an association was formed between Thomas Richards and Herbert Henry Geen who were well experienced in the furniture retail industry and ventured into their own business

The gentlemen opened their first store on the ground floor of 113 President Street in Johannesburg selling locally produced furniture of great quality and exclusive to GampR Within a year they were forced to move to larger premises on Market Street because the business was doing so well

As fashion trends changed GampR evolved from exclusively traditional solid wood designs to the modern features of todayrsquos mode making it a store that caters for a selection of tastes Today there are about 65 Geen amp Richards stores countrywide with another three scheduled to open soon in the Western Cape

The criteria for selecting furniture remain the same however and the company has kept to the values that Thomas Richards and Herbert Geen established from the outset

The century of growth and success celebrated by the current GampR team is a direct result of the legacy left behind by the founders who are sadly no longer here to enjoy the fruits

of their labour and celebrate this milestoneMarketing executive Heidi Iori says ldquoGampR has always been

a top quality brand in both furniture and customer service Today we continue to try to uphold and even improve on that standard so that the brand may live on and grow further

ldquoCustomers shop with us because we strive to offer a product that differs from our competitors In store we create

MasterGuard+ has been operating in the fabric protection

industry for over 20 years

We offer the fi nest fabric protection available With people always on the

go these days the last thing they need to worry about is the appearance of

their upholstered or leather furniture cushions curtains etc

With our specially formulated fabric protection now you wont have to

This amazing protection prevents oil and water based stains from penetrating into the upholstery and fabrics guaranteeing ease of cleaning and giving you peace of mind

Tel 011 392 4411 bull Fax 011 392 5399wwwmasterguardfabricprotectioncoza

The Ultimate in Fabric Protection

Proud supplier to

Geen amp Richards ndash providing distinctive quality furniture since 1909

page 6

Newsline Geen amp Richards

on reaching an astonishing 100 years We congratulate the management and staff on this

massive milestone and look forward to helping them achieve another 100 years of success and growth

Ghoors Interiors stocks an exclusive selection of beautifully crafted imported furniture that appeals to discerning buyers who understand

style and quality

GHOORS INTERIORS bull 36 Western Boulevard City West Johannesburg South AfricaTel 011 492 2064 bull 011 834 2540 bull Fax 011 833 4649 bull E-mail ghoorsinttelkomsanet bull smcgworldonlinecoza

GHOORSINTERIORS

salutes

a complete image of a distinctive lifestyle to which our customers can relate and replicate in their own homesrdquo

Customer service remains a major focus point at GampR as management strives to continue improving service levels to meet ever-increasing consumer demands and expectations

ldquoWe have a dedicated management team that is committed and results-driven while our staff are passionate about ensuring that GampR remains a premium brand by providing the best service availablerdquo says Iori

Despite being part of the larger furniture retail group Ellerine Holdings Limited Iori says the GampR brand continues to maintain and improve on the exclusive identity it has established over the last 100 years

ldquoOur focus on differentiation through product design quality and service together with a progressive marketing strategy has enabled us to avoid overlapping strategies within the merged group

ldquoAdditionally a consistent internal and external communication strategy on the brand essence together with supplier relationships and their understanding of the brand is crucial to retaining the identityrsquos uniqueness

ldquoWe realise and appreciate that there are many people out there looking for something different for their homes and we take pride in being able to offer styles of furniture that are unique in design and exclusive to usrdquo

Turn key store developmentDesign

Project managementShopfi tting

Drywall partitioningCeilings

Display amp exhibition standsPainting specialists

Cabinet makingInterior amp exterior signage

amp DESIGNERS92 Snapper RdWadeville Ext 2Germiston 1401

TEL (011) 827-0626FAX (011) 827-0661E-Mail ishraaqshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza devonshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza

The corporate identity may have changed but Geen amp Richardsrsquo distinctive quality and excellent customer service remain the same

page 4 | Geen amp RichARds

Newsline Geen amp Richards

RIEGUT MARKETINGwwwriegutcom

SHOWROOM FACTORYCorner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg

P O Box 39338 Bramley 2018Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 bull 0861 RIEGUT (743488)

Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 bull E-mail salesriegutcomMR

Riegut Marketing congratulates Geen amp Richards on 100 years of unparalleled leadership and success in furniture retailing in South Africa

Riegut Marketing are honoured and privileged for having been granted the opportunity to expose and market our niche products through your chain

A partnership of creating a new dimension in furniture design and innovation

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

2009 20092008

2005 20072006

Riegut Marketing boasts an unmatched and most consistent performance in providing the best sellers in Geen amp Richards year after year after hellip

and

Therersquos a new man at the helm of Geen amp Richards but hersquos no newcomer to furniture retail or the Ellerines group HGR questioned managing executive Andre Schoultz about his plans for the store

What business and retail expertise do you bring to GampRI have been in the furniture retail industry for more than 15 years during which time I have been involved at all levels of management learning a great deal from my subordinates colleagus and superiors I have been part of Ellerine Holdingsrsquo executive team for the last six years

How would you describe your management and leadership styleI believe as a leader I have an understanding of myself and

Andre schoultz

Andre Schoultz ndash finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship

Newsline Geen amp Richards

my strengths and limitations This together with a belief that almost anything is achievable through people drives my team dynamics As a leader I believe in challenging the ldquonowrdquo to create and build a better future I am committed to the ongoing development of my teamrsquos abilities and talents and persuading staff to go beyond the call of duty by obtaining their buy-in to the company strategy Encouraging staff to achieve their goals is best done by finding innovative ways to create excitement and positive energy as it is said ldquoleadership never happens in isolationrdquo

What if any new strategies will you be implementing as managing executiveThere are a set number of new strategies that the executive and management teams will implement Increasing our store base is definitely one of them as we are continuously looking for new opportunities Building on current strategies in respect of human capital merchandise and marketing will remain a high priority Our customer value proposition will focus on personalised distinctive service and style Specific focus on implementation is key for the team

How do you rate GampRrsquos performance in the current recessionary climateLike many retailers GampR has been affected by the recessionary climate The brand has preformed acceptably given the current trading environment and will continue to focus on its strategy of growing the business

What if anything can furniture retailers learn from this recessionPerhaps the greatest competitive challenge companies face is adjusting to and even embracing continuous change Constant change means we must create a healthy discomfort with the status quo and an ability to detect emerging trends quicker than the competition The recessionary climate has also shown us that we are capable of influencing events and finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship on the cost side

How do you intend improving awareness of the GampR brand and increasing market shareConsistency will be key in our marketing this year ensuring that our current and paid-up customers are exposed to our marketing offers on a regular basis Database direct marketing will be a major focus and we have identified a particular market segment to which we will be directing targeted marketing to build awareness and increase market share These prospective customers will be reached through niche publications We will continue with our print and catalogue distribution strategies as the majority of our consumers are still triggered by a visual range representation

What sets GampR apart from its competitorsDistinctive styling and exclusivity is the cornerstone of product selection at GampR Passionate sales personnel who are more pedantic about quality than our customers raise the benchmark on finding quality imported products that are not available from our competitors Highly impressive store displays create an environment that makes it easy for customers to visualise the product in their own homes

What can GampR customers look forward to in the coming yearA larger selection of contemporary furniture and lounge that caters for the smaller home and a fresh approach to making accessory selections and occasional and accent pieces with the same attention to detail and quality that GampR is renowned for The rollout of our new store concept will be extended to more stores and judging from the response we have received from our customers so far they enjoying a world-class shopping experience unmatched in our competitive environment

Congratulations to Geen amp Richards on 100 years in business

DIRECT MARKETINGASSOCIATION OF SA

TEL (031) 569 1017 bull FACSIMILE (031) 569 1086E-MAIL carolinevibrantdirectcoza

wwwvibrantdirectcozaUNIT 1 30 MORELAND DRIVE REDHILL INDUSTRIAL PARK

PO BOX 201800 DURBAN NORTH 4016

Direct To Home Distribution Impact Marketing and Promotions

Andre schoultz

Newsline Geen amp Richards

9Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lewis Group has partnered with IT Naledi to improve its game in service provider relationships IT Naledi is to service the grouprsquos 560 branches nationally to boost staff proficiency and meet stringent timetables

Lewis Bellville store manager Edroy Lewis says he welcomes a system that will enable him to work faster IT Naledi dispatches one multiskilled technician to solve myriad technical problems

The partnership will also enable the furniture retailer to better manage its overheads

ldquoThere are no hidden costs in the monthly invoicerdquo says Lewis information technology manager Gareth Hawkey

Purveyors of luxury decor and design will experience pure shopping bliss with the launch of the new Wunders showroom in De Waterkant

Established in 1983 the family-owned business which produces and manufac-tures only the finest quality upholstered furniture in South Africa will complement its new decor emporium with premium internationally sourced contemporary accessories

Emulating the iconic image of summer in the Riviera through the use of fresh vibrant turquoise earthy tones in clean lines and varying natural textures the new Wunders concept store will be refreshed seasonally to provide customers with cur-rent trends and inspiring designer pieces The 200 square metres of exhibition space will form the backdrop of its seasonal showcase of new furniture collections

All things Wunder‑ful launches in Cape Town in November

Wunders produces fine-quality upholstered furniture

New IT partner to improve Lewis

relationships

Buying group Furnex has been granted a Section 311 of the Companies Act allowing it to offer a reduced compromise with its creditors of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation

This follows Furnexrsquos sudden announcement in June that it was ceasing to trade The ldquoannouncementrdquo took the form of a letter emailed to suppliers and members and under the subject line ldquoFurnex Restructurerdquo stated that discussions were underway with ldquovarious interested parties regarding taking over the business of Furnexrdquo The move caught most suppliers and members by surprise to say the least and left many retailers unable to trade

Ascot Bedding and Furniture manag-ing director Des Dussing says he received a call from someone in the Bravo Group warning him that Furnex was having ldquocom-puter problemsrdquo

ldquoWe were in the middle of a promotion at the time and couldnrsquot understand why we were unable to process payments I immediately phoned Furnex but no one would give me a straight answer Then the letter arrivedrdquo

Dussing says he is disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which the matter was handled ldquoI have had a long relationship with Furnex and feel they havenrsquot played the game fairlyrdquo

Dussing was able to open direct ac-counts fairly quickly with larger suppli-ers and was soon conducting business as usual

Appliances for U managing director Danny Daniels was not so lucky He says he made a mistake by committing to one buying group ndash Furnex ndash only ldquoWe had no inkling that the company was in trouble In fact we received a visit from one of the Furnex directors just before the closure notice was sent who said he was happy with our figures He didnrsquot say a word about the company being in trouble or that closure was imminentrdquo

Daniels says he was unable to make alternative arrangements with his companyrsquos creditors who are unwilling to do cash deals or open a direct account ldquoWe have been struggling to trade and losing rebates as a resultrdquo

He strongly advises other retailers not to be a member of one buying group only ldquoSome suppliers have been helpful but our

bottom line has been severely affectedrdquoHGR has been in constant contact

with Furnex managing director Andy Simaan who promised to provide an official statement once everything had been finalised

ldquoI am still trying to save the companyrdquo he said during one of numerous phone calls and to this end had applied to the high court for a Section 311 of the Companies Act which essentially is a scheme of compromise between a company and its creditors where the creditors are asked to accept a reduced compromise of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation The court then calls a meeting of creditors to explain the scheme to them and to put the scheme to their vote Should the compromise be approved by the creditors and sanctioned by the court the winding-up order will be set aside and the company reinstated

The order was granted on 10 September Despite repeated promises by Simaan to provide answers to HGRrsquos written list of questions at the time of going to print he had still not responded

Final countdown for Furnex

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200910

Massmart remains optimistic about growth prospects in South Africa and other African countries despite posting posted a 46 per cent decline in headline earnings for the year to June

Comparable sales growth for the com-pany was also lower from 119 per cent in the first half to 45 per cent in the second but operating profit grew in both halves rising 51 per cent to R2 billion before for-eign exchange movements Total sales rose 107 per cent to R43 billion while compa-rable store sales increased by 82 per cent

CEO Grant Pattison is ldquosatisfiedrdquo with the companyrsquos performance considering that this is the first recession South Africa has had to go through in 17 years ldquoWe are weathering the economic storm with our strategic operational and long-term growth prospects intact and we have gained market share in all our divisions

ldquoWe are responding to the short- term environment challenges but remain con-fident in the underlying strengths of the

group and are excited about the medium to long-term potential in our markets both in South Africa and the rest of Africardquo

The company plans to open ten stores in Africa in six to seven years at a cost of about R100 million each The group has about 20 stores in 13 African countries but these operations have the potential to grow to 50 per cent the size of its South African operations Currently 91 per cent of Massmartrsquos revenue is earned in South Africa

Crime dents profitsPattison says the recession has sparked an increase in crime at its operations marked by an uptick in fraud store robberies and shrinkage which has also negatively affected profits

ldquoThe recession has emboldened criminals Not only has crime escalated but we have also seen a pattern in the type of crime that is hitting our stores It is not your average Joe Block on the streets

who is stealing from us but hardened well orchestrated criminalsrdquo

ldquoDespite the economic downturn Game stores are continuing to grow not only in store numbers but also in profitabilityrdquo Pattison points out ldquoOur Game shops are doing well both in South Africa and outside the country

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of an application by the Furniture Traders Association (FTA) and eleven other respondents including the ldquobig fourrdquo banks that debt review applications require a formal hearing and argument in a magistratersquos court

The ruling comes after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) brought an

application before the court to resolve continued uncertainty over how debt review requests are brought before the Magistratersquos Courts The NCR argued that applications to restructure repayment obligations for an over-indebted person should be a cheaper and simpler admini-strative process than going to court

In his judgment Judge Du Plessis ruled that the debt review process requires certainty and should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules applicable to formal application procedures

The court also ruled that penalties and interest accrued by a person defaulting on debt could not exceed the amount owing FTA executive director Dick Behrens says that this ruling has provided much-need clarity for credit providers specifically those in the retail industry

ldquoIn the past a consumer who owed R5 000 for example ended up paying

R35 000 because of interest and other extra charges The new ruling effectively caps other charges at the original R5 000rdquo

Eric Levenstein an attorney for the four big banks believes all credit providers will welcome the judgment He agrees that the process specified by Judge Du Plessis ndash that applications should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules ndash is technical but says applicants will now have ensure they cross all the Ts and dot all the Is

ldquoI think credit providers have started to realise itrsquos not in their interest to challenge debt counselling applications on the strength of technicalitiesrdquo says NCRrsquos senior manager for Education and Strategy Peter Setou

The ruling will give the legal process a kick start and strengthen efforts to eliminate the backlog which will mean less finger pointing from credit providers

Dick Behrens ndash retail credit providers now have clarity

court provides clarity on debt review process

Grant Pattison ndash satisfied with results

Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish

Newsline

11Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 2: HGR - September 2009

CAREBAD E S I G N S

TEL 012 734 1171FAX 086 504 4941

CELL 082 926 3576 (ABLY)CELL 082 860 4696 (REHAAN)

E MAIL ablyyebocozaE MAIL rehaantmvodamailcoza

Oslo DRS

Manhattan BRS

ContentsSeptember 2009

Furniture Tradersrsquo Association of South AfricaMeubelhandelaarsvereniging van Suid‑Afrika

(011) 789 6770The FTA supports HGR but is in no official way associated with the magazine

NewslineGeen amp Richards celebrates 100 years of distinctive quality 3Andre Schoultz 8Final countdown for Furnex 10All things Wunder-ful launches in Cape Town in November 10New IT partner to improve Lewis relationships 10Court provides clarity on debt review process 11Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish 11Wetherlys opens in Woodhill 12400 disabled learners become mobile 12Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops 13

Talking PointsAussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick 14

Small Domestic AppliancesTefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water 16Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts 16Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine 16Who can resist a good looking Italian 17Kenwood all set for summer sun fun 18Thinking Kitchens Think Kenwood 19Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs 20Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens 20Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant 20LG bakes bread in the home 20Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week 20Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor 21New look for earth-friendly SA favourite Sodastream 21

Product ShowcaseLexmark Web-connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first 22LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience 23Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series 23Hisense continues to fly high 24Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word 26eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing 26Philips extends Bikini Perfect range to keep women looking gorgeous 27

Technology FocusPresenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs 28

GalleryAscot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex 29People on the move 29

Diaryimm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform 30Grand Designs Live coming to SA 30

3016143

Publisher amp Editor‑in‑ChiefIan Hughes

Email ianhgrcoza

EditorAurette Bowes

Email editorhgrcoza

National sales manager Frances Venter

Cell 072 607 5134

Email saleshgrcoza

Marketing consultant Cherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976

Email cearecruitmwebcoza

Design amp Layout Bianca Keenan-Smith

Email dtphgrcoza

Special Projects Kerryn McMurray

Email kerrynhgrcoza

Administration amp SubscriptionsSameera Hoosein

Email sameerahgrcoza

Office203 Melrose Place (formerly Willowbrook)

Willowbrook Close Melrose North

PO Box 41632

Craighall 2024

Tel (011) 447 9326 Fax (011) 447 9838

Email infohgrcoza

wwwhgrcoza

PrintingPark Avenue

Copyright on all editorial in Home Goods Retailer is owned by the publisher and reproduction without permission is prohibited The opinions expressed in Home Goods Retailer are not necessarily the views held by the editor or publisher We reserve the right to edit ndash for purposes of space and clarity ndash all editorial material and letters submitted for publication

HGR Team

Home Goods Retailer

A centenary celebration all about Furnex and coffee is good for youA hearty congratulations to furniture retailer Geen amp Richards which celebrates its centenary this year Originally founded in Johannesburg by Thomas Richards and Herbert Henry Geen the retailer today boasts no fewer than 65 stores countrywide testimony that distinctive styling and exclusivity remains the cornerstone of product selection at GampR

Still on the news front HGR is pleased to finally be able to bring its readers the long-awaited story on the closure of buying group Furnex no thanks to managing director Andy Simaan who at the time of going to print had still not kept his promise of providing comment or answers to the numerous questions I had put to him ndash in writing at his request

Our Talking Point this month is climate change and the viewpoint expressed by Prof Ian Simler that it is nothing but a ldquocon trickrdquo is intriguing and bears thinking about especially as more and more manufacturers and suppliers ndash the home goods industry not excluded ndash go all out to ensure their systems and processes are not endangering or harming the planet in any way I eagerly await readersrsquo comments on this issue

As the world economy starts to ease out of recession indications are that Christmas will certainly be at least a little less dismal than last year Our Small Domestic Appliances feature is jam-packed with the latest products on offer by suppliers from smoothie makers for summer to a toaster that prepares eggs and toast simultaneously

While preparing the feature I could not help noticing the increasing array of coffee machines available on the market Perhaps this is owing to new research conducted by Harvard which shows that drinking moderate amounts of caffeinated coffee regularly may actually have positive health benefits including lowering the risk of diabetes Parkinsonrsquos disease and colon cancer Therersquos also some evidence that coffee may help manage asthma and even control attacks when medication is unavailable stop a headache boost mood and even prevent cavities

Irsquod say that calls for another cup

facebook

Home Goods Retailer now on Facebook

Join the Facebook community and become a fan of Home Goods Retailer Stay up to date with the latest developments in the household goods retail industry plus keep track of what the HGR team gets up to

Editorrsquos Desk

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 20092

celebrates 100 years of distinctive quality

Serving the aspirant upper end of the furniture market since 1909 Geen amp Richards has become synonymous with products of distinction hence its positioning statement ldquoYour Distinctive Choicerdquo which is reinforced by a reputation of excellent customer service

One of the original Geen amp Richards stores

Newsline Geen amp Richards

3Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Providing great distinctive and exclusive furniture to their customers for 100 years and still ranking as one of the leaders in the furniture industry is certainly something for Geen amp Richards (GampR) to boast about

The furniture store was established in 1909 after an association was formed between Thomas Richards and Herbert Henry Geen who were well experienced in the furniture retail industry and ventured into their own business

The gentlemen opened their first store on the ground floor of 113 President Street in Johannesburg selling locally produced furniture of great quality and exclusive to GampR Within a year they were forced to move to larger premises on Market Street because the business was doing so well

As fashion trends changed GampR evolved from exclusively traditional solid wood designs to the modern features of todayrsquos mode making it a store that caters for a selection of tastes Today there are about 65 Geen amp Richards stores countrywide with another three scheduled to open soon in the Western Cape

The criteria for selecting furniture remain the same however and the company has kept to the values that Thomas Richards and Herbert Geen established from the outset

The century of growth and success celebrated by the current GampR team is a direct result of the legacy left behind by the founders who are sadly no longer here to enjoy the fruits

of their labour and celebrate this milestoneMarketing executive Heidi Iori says ldquoGampR has always been

a top quality brand in both furniture and customer service Today we continue to try to uphold and even improve on that standard so that the brand may live on and grow further

ldquoCustomers shop with us because we strive to offer a product that differs from our competitors In store we create

MasterGuard+ has been operating in the fabric protection

industry for over 20 years

We offer the fi nest fabric protection available With people always on the

go these days the last thing they need to worry about is the appearance of

their upholstered or leather furniture cushions curtains etc

With our specially formulated fabric protection now you wont have to

This amazing protection prevents oil and water based stains from penetrating into the upholstery and fabrics guaranteeing ease of cleaning and giving you peace of mind

Tel 011 392 4411 bull Fax 011 392 5399wwwmasterguardfabricprotectioncoza

The Ultimate in Fabric Protection

Proud supplier to

Geen amp Richards ndash providing distinctive quality furniture since 1909

page 6

Newsline Geen amp Richards

on reaching an astonishing 100 years We congratulate the management and staff on this

massive milestone and look forward to helping them achieve another 100 years of success and growth

Ghoors Interiors stocks an exclusive selection of beautifully crafted imported furniture that appeals to discerning buyers who understand

style and quality

GHOORS INTERIORS bull 36 Western Boulevard City West Johannesburg South AfricaTel 011 492 2064 bull 011 834 2540 bull Fax 011 833 4649 bull E-mail ghoorsinttelkomsanet bull smcgworldonlinecoza

GHOORSINTERIORS

salutes

a complete image of a distinctive lifestyle to which our customers can relate and replicate in their own homesrdquo

Customer service remains a major focus point at GampR as management strives to continue improving service levels to meet ever-increasing consumer demands and expectations

ldquoWe have a dedicated management team that is committed and results-driven while our staff are passionate about ensuring that GampR remains a premium brand by providing the best service availablerdquo says Iori

Despite being part of the larger furniture retail group Ellerine Holdings Limited Iori says the GampR brand continues to maintain and improve on the exclusive identity it has established over the last 100 years

ldquoOur focus on differentiation through product design quality and service together with a progressive marketing strategy has enabled us to avoid overlapping strategies within the merged group

ldquoAdditionally a consistent internal and external communication strategy on the brand essence together with supplier relationships and their understanding of the brand is crucial to retaining the identityrsquos uniqueness

ldquoWe realise and appreciate that there are many people out there looking for something different for their homes and we take pride in being able to offer styles of furniture that are unique in design and exclusive to usrdquo

Turn key store developmentDesign

Project managementShopfi tting

Drywall partitioningCeilings

Display amp exhibition standsPainting specialists

Cabinet makingInterior amp exterior signage

amp DESIGNERS92 Snapper RdWadeville Ext 2Germiston 1401

TEL (011) 827-0626FAX (011) 827-0661E-Mail ishraaqshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza devonshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza

The corporate identity may have changed but Geen amp Richardsrsquo distinctive quality and excellent customer service remain the same

page 4 | Geen amp RichARds

Newsline Geen amp Richards

RIEGUT MARKETINGwwwriegutcom

SHOWROOM FACTORYCorner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg

P O Box 39338 Bramley 2018Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 bull 0861 RIEGUT (743488)

Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 bull E-mail salesriegutcomMR

Riegut Marketing congratulates Geen amp Richards on 100 years of unparalleled leadership and success in furniture retailing in South Africa

Riegut Marketing are honoured and privileged for having been granted the opportunity to expose and market our niche products through your chain

A partnership of creating a new dimension in furniture design and innovation

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

2009 20092008

2005 20072006

Riegut Marketing boasts an unmatched and most consistent performance in providing the best sellers in Geen amp Richards year after year after hellip

and

Therersquos a new man at the helm of Geen amp Richards but hersquos no newcomer to furniture retail or the Ellerines group HGR questioned managing executive Andre Schoultz about his plans for the store

What business and retail expertise do you bring to GampRI have been in the furniture retail industry for more than 15 years during which time I have been involved at all levels of management learning a great deal from my subordinates colleagus and superiors I have been part of Ellerine Holdingsrsquo executive team for the last six years

How would you describe your management and leadership styleI believe as a leader I have an understanding of myself and

Andre schoultz

Andre Schoultz ndash finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship

Newsline Geen amp Richards

my strengths and limitations This together with a belief that almost anything is achievable through people drives my team dynamics As a leader I believe in challenging the ldquonowrdquo to create and build a better future I am committed to the ongoing development of my teamrsquos abilities and talents and persuading staff to go beyond the call of duty by obtaining their buy-in to the company strategy Encouraging staff to achieve their goals is best done by finding innovative ways to create excitement and positive energy as it is said ldquoleadership never happens in isolationrdquo

What if any new strategies will you be implementing as managing executiveThere are a set number of new strategies that the executive and management teams will implement Increasing our store base is definitely one of them as we are continuously looking for new opportunities Building on current strategies in respect of human capital merchandise and marketing will remain a high priority Our customer value proposition will focus on personalised distinctive service and style Specific focus on implementation is key for the team

How do you rate GampRrsquos performance in the current recessionary climateLike many retailers GampR has been affected by the recessionary climate The brand has preformed acceptably given the current trading environment and will continue to focus on its strategy of growing the business

What if anything can furniture retailers learn from this recessionPerhaps the greatest competitive challenge companies face is adjusting to and even embracing continuous change Constant change means we must create a healthy discomfort with the status quo and an ability to detect emerging trends quicker than the competition The recessionary climate has also shown us that we are capable of influencing events and finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship on the cost side

How do you intend improving awareness of the GampR brand and increasing market shareConsistency will be key in our marketing this year ensuring that our current and paid-up customers are exposed to our marketing offers on a regular basis Database direct marketing will be a major focus and we have identified a particular market segment to which we will be directing targeted marketing to build awareness and increase market share These prospective customers will be reached through niche publications We will continue with our print and catalogue distribution strategies as the majority of our consumers are still triggered by a visual range representation

What sets GampR apart from its competitorsDistinctive styling and exclusivity is the cornerstone of product selection at GampR Passionate sales personnel who are more pedantic about quality than our customers raise the benchmark on finding quality imported products that are not available from our competitors Highly impressive store displays create an environment that makes it easy for customers to visualise the product in their own homes

What can GampR customers look forward to in the coming yearA larger selection of contemporary furniture and lounge that caters for the smaller home and a fresh approach to making accessory selections and occasional and accent pieces with the same attention to detail and quality that GampR is renowned for The rollout of our new store concept will be extended to more stores and judging from the response we have received from our customers so far they enjoying a world-class shopping experience unmatched in our competitive environment

Congratulations to Geen amp Richards on 100 years in business

DIRECT MARKETINGASSOCIATION OF SA

TEL (031) 569 1017 bull FACSIMILE (031) 569 1086E-MAIL carolinevibrantdirectcoza

wwwvibrantdirectcozaUNIT 1 30 MORELAND DRIVE REDHILL INDUSTRIAL PARK

PO BOX 201800 DURBAN NORTH 4016

Direct To Home Distribution Impact Marketing and Promotions

Andre schoultz

Newsline Geen amp Richards

9Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lewis Group has partnered with IT Naledi to improve its game in service provider relationships IT Naledi is to service the grouprsquos 560 branches nationally to boost staff proficiency and meet stringent timetables

Lewis Bellville store manager Edroy Lewis says he welcomes a system that will enable him to work faster IT Naledi dispatches one multiskilled technician to solve myriad technical problems

The partnership will also enable the furniture retailer to better manage its overheads

ldquoThere are no hidden costs in the monthly invoicerdquo says Lewis information technology manager Gareth Hawkey

Purveyors of luxury decor and design will experience pure shopping bliss with the launch of the new Wunders showroom in De Waterkant

Established in 1983 the family-owned business which produces and manufac-tures only the finest quality upholstered furniture in South Africa will complement its new decor emporium with premium internationally sourced contemporary accessories

Emulating the iconic image of summer in the Riviera through the use of fresh vibrant turquoise earthy tones in clean lines and varying natural textures the new Wunders concept store will be refreshed seasonally to provide customers with cur-rent trends and inspiring designer pieces The 200 square metres of exhibition space will form the backdrop of its seasonal showcase of new furniture collections

All things Wunder‑ful launches in Cape Town in November

Wunders produces fine-quality upholstered furniture

New IT partner to improve Lewis

relationships

Buying group Furnex has been granted a Section 311 of the Companies Act allowing it to offer a reduced compromise with its creditors of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation

This follows Furnexrsquos sudden announcement in June that it was ceasing to trade The ldquoannouncementrdquo took the form of a letter emailed to suppliers and members and under the subject line ldquoFurnex Restructurerdquo stated that discussions were underway with ldquovarious interested parties regarding taking over the business of Furnexrdquo The move caught most suppliers and members by surprise to say the least and left many retailers unable to trade

Ascot Bedding and Furniture manag-ing director Des Dussing says he received a call from someone in the Bravo Group warning him that Furnex was having ldquocom-puter problemsrdquo

ldquoWe were in the middle of a promotion at the time and couldnrsquot understand why we were unable to process payments I immediately phoned Furnex but no one would give me a straight answer Then the letter arrivedrdquo

Dussing says he is disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which the matter was handled ldquoI have had a long relationship with Furnex and feel they havenrsquot played the game fairlyrdquo

Dussing was able to open direct ac-counts fairly quickly with larger suppli-ers and was soon conducting business as usual

Appliances for U managing director Danny Daniels was not so lucky He says he made a mistake by committing to one buying group ndash Furnex ndash only ldquoWe had no inkling that the company was in trouble In fact we received a visit from one of the Furnex directors just before the closure notice was sent who said he was happy with our figures He didnrsquot say a word about the company being in trouble or that closure was imminentrdquo

Daniels says he was unable to make alternative arrangements with his companyrsquos creditors who are unwilling to do cash deals or open a direct account ldquoWe have been struggling to trade and losing rebates as a resultrdquo

He strongly advises other retailers not to be a member of one buying group only ldquoSome suppliers have been helpful but our

bottom line has been severely affectedrdquoHGR has been in constant contact

with Furnex managing director Andy Simaan who promised to provide an official statement once everything had been finalised

ldquoI am still trying to save the companyrdquo he said during one of numerous phone calls and to this end had applied to the high court for a Section 311 of the Companies Act which essentially is a scheme of compromise between a company and its creditors where the creditors are asked to accept a reduced compromise of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation The court then calls a meeting of creditors to explain the scheme to them and to put the scheme to their vote Should the compromise be approved by the creditors and sanctioned by the court the winding-up order will be set aside and the company reinstated

The order was granted on 10 September Despite repeated promises by Simaan to provide answers to HGRrsquos written list of questions at the time of going to print he had still not responded

Final countdown for Furnex

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200910

Massmart remains optimistic about growth prospects in South Africa and other African countries despite posting posted a 46 per cent decline in headline earnings for the year to June

Comparable sales growth for the com-pany was also lower from 119 per cent in the first half to 45 per cent in the second but operating profit grew in both halves rising 51 per cent to R2 billion before for-eign exchange movements Total sales rose 107 per cent to R43 billion while compa-rable store sales increased by 82 per cent

CEO Grant Pattison is ldquosatisfiedrdquo with the companyrsquos performance considering that this is the first recession South Africa has had to go through in 17 years ldquoWe are weathering the economic storm with our strategic operational and long-term growth prospects intact and we have gained market share in all our divisions

ldquoWe are responding to the short- term environment challenges but remain con-fident in the underlying strengths of the

group and are excited about the medium to long-term potential in our markets both in South Africa and the rest of Africardquo

The company plans to open ten stores in Africa in six to seven years at a cost of about R100 million each The group has about 20 stores in 13 African countries but these operations have the potential to grow to 50 per cent the size of its South African operations Currently 91 per cent of Massmartrsquos revenue is earned in South Africa

Crime dents profitsPattison says the recession has sparked an increase in crime at its operations marked by an uptick in fraud store robberies and shrinkage which has also negatively affected profits

ldquoThe recession has emboldened criminals Not only has crime escalated but we have also seen a pattern in the type of crime that is hitting our stores It is not your average Joe Block on the streets

who is stealing from us but hardened well orchestrated criminalsrdquo

ldquoDespite the economic downturn Game stores are continuing to grow not only in store numbers but also in profitabilityrdquo Pattison points out ldquoOur Game shops are doing well both in South Africa and outside the country

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of an application by the Furniture Traders Association (FTA) and eleven other respondents including the ldquobig fourrdquo banks that debt review applications require a formal hearing and argument in a magistratersquos court

The ruling comes after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) brought an

application before the court to resolve continued uncertainty over how debt review requests are brought before the Magistratersquos Courts The NCR argued that applications to restructure repayment obligations for an over-indebted person should be a cheaper and simpler admini-strative process than going to court

In his judgment Judge Du Plessis ruled that the debt review process requires certainty and should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules applicable to formal application procedures

The court also ruled that penalties and interest accrued by a person defaulting on debt could not exceed the amount owing FTA executive director Dick Behrens says that this ruling has provided much-need clarity for credit providers specifically those in the retail industry

ldquoIn the past a consumer who owed R5 000 for example ended up paying

R35 000 because of interest and other extra charges The new ruling effectively caps other charges at the original R5 000rdquo

Eric Levenstein an attorney for the four big banks believes all credit providers will welcome the judgment He agrees that the process specified by Judge Du Plessis ndash that applications should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules ndash is technical but says applicants will now have ensure they cross all the Ts and dot all the Is

ldquoI think credit providers have started to realise itrsquos not in their interest to challenge debt counselling applications on the strength of technicalitiesrdquo says NCRrsquos senior manager for Education and Strategy Peter Setou

The ruling will give the legal process a kick start and strengthen efforts to eliminate the backlog which will mean less finger pointing from credit providers

Dick Behrens ndash retail credit providers now have clarity

court provides clarity on debt review process

Grant Pattison ndash satisfied with results

Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish

Newsline

11Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

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bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

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bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 3: HGR - September 2009

ContentsSeptember 2009

Furniture Tradersrsquo Association of South AfricaMeubelhandelaarsvereniging van Suid‑Afrika

(011) 789 6770The FTA supports HGR but is in no official way associated with the magazine

NewslineGeen amp Richards celebrates 100 years of distinctive quality 3Andre Schoultz 8Final countdown for Furnex 10All things Wunder-ful launches in Cape Town in November 10New IT partner to improve Lewis relationships 10Court provides clarity on debt review process 11Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish 11Wetherlys opens in Woodhill 12400 disabled learners become mobile 12Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops 13

Talking PointsAussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick 14

Small Domestic AppliancesTefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water 16Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts 16Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine 16Who can resist a good looking Italian 17Kenwood all set for summer sun fun 18Thinking Kitchens Think Kenwood 19Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs 20Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens 20Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant 20LG bakes bread in the home 20Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week 20Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor 21New look for earth-friendly SA favourite Sodastream 21

Product ShowcaseLexmark Web-connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first 22LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience 23Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series 23Hisense continues to fly high 24Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word 26eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing 26Philips extends Bikini Perfect range to keep women looking gorgeous 27

Technology FocusPresenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs 28

GalleryAscot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex 29People on the move 29

Diaryimm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform 30Grand Designs Live coming to SA 30

3016143

Publisher amp Editor‑in‑ChiefIan Hughes

Email ianhgrcoza

EditorAurette Bowes

Email editorhgrcoza

National sales manager Frances Venter

Cell 072 607 5134

Email saleshgrcoza

Marketing consultant Cherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976

Email cearecruitmwebcoza

Design amp Layout Bianca Keenan-Smith

Email dtphgrcoza

Special Projects Kerryn McMurray

Email kerrynhgrcoza

Administration amp SubscriptionsSameera Hoosein

Email sameerahgrcoza

Office203 Melrose Place (formerly Willowbrook)

Willowbrook Close Melrose North

PO Box 41632

Craighall 2024

Tel (011) 447 9326 Fax (011) 447 9838

Email infohgrcoza

wwwhgrcoza

PrintingPark Avenue

Copyright on all editorial in Home Goods Retailer is owned by the publisher and reproduction without permission is prohibited The opinions expressed in Home Goods Retailer are not necessarily the views held by the editor or publisher We reserve the right to edit ndash for purposes of space and clarity ndash all editorial material and letters submitted for publication

HGR Team

Home Goods Retailer

A centenary celebration all about Furnex and coffee is good for youA hearty congratulations to furniture retailer Geen amp Richards which celebrates its centenary this year Originally founded in Johannesburg by Thomas Richards and Herbert Henry Geen the retailer today boasts no fewer than 65 stores countrywide testimony that distinctive styling and exclusivity remains the cornerstone of product selection at GampR

Still on the news front HGR is pleased to finally be able to bring its readers the long-awaited story on the closure of buying group Furnex no thanks to managing director Andy Simaan who at the time of going to print had still not kept his promise of providing comment or answers to the numerous questions I had put to him ndash in writing at his request

Our Talking Point this month is climate change and the viewpoint expressed by Prof Ian Simler that it is nothing but a ldquocon trickrdquo is intriguing and bears thinking about especially as more and more manufacturers and suppliers ndash the home goods industry not excluded ndash go all out to ensure their systems and processes are not endangering or harming the planet in any way I eagerly await readersrsquo comments on this issue

As the world economy starts to ease out of recession indications are that Christmas will certainly be at least a little less dismal than last year Our Small Domestic Appliances feature is jam-packed with the latest products on offer by suppliers from smoothie makers for summer to a toaster that prepares eggs and toast simultaneously

While preparing the feature I could not help noticing the increasing array of coffee machines available on the market Perhaps this is owing to new research conducted by Harvard which shows that drinking moderate amounts of caffeinated coffee regularly may actually have positive health benefits including lowering the risk of diabetes Parkinsonrsquos disease and colon cancer Therersquos also some evidence that coffee may help manage asthma and even control attacks when medication is unavailable stop a headache boost mood and even prevent cavities

Irsquod say that calls for another cup

facebook

Home Goods Retailer now on Facebook

Join the Facebook community and become a fan of Home Goods Retailer Stay up to date with the latest developments in the household goods retail industry plus keep track of what the HGR team gets up to

Editorrsquos Desk

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 20092

celebrates 100 years of distinctive quality

Serving the aspirant upper end of the furniture market since 1909 Geen amp Richards has become synonymous with products of distinction hence its positioning statement ldquoYour Distinctive Choicerdquo which is reinforced by a reputation of excellent customer service

One of the original Geen amp Richards stores

Newsline Geen amp Richards

3Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Providing great distinctive and exclusive furniture to their customers for 100 years and still ranking as one of the leaders in the furniture industry is certainly something for Geen amp Richards (GampR) to boast about

The furniture store was established in 1909 after an association was formed between Thomas Richards and Herbert Henry Geen who were well experienced in the furniture retail industry and ventured into their own business

The gentlemen opened their first store on the ground floor of 113 President Street in Johannesburg selling locally produced furniture of great quality and exclusive to GampR Within a year they were forced to move to larger premises on Market Street because the business was doing so well

As fashion trends changed GampR evolved from exclusively traditional solid wood designs to the modern features of todayrsquos mode making it a store that caters for a selection of tastes Today there are about 65 Geen amp Richards stores countrywide with another three scheduled to open soon in the Western Cape

The criteria for selecting furniture remain the same however and the company has kept to the values that Thomas Richards and Herbert Geen established from the outset

The century of growth and success celebrated by the current GampR team is a direct result of the legacy left behind by the founders who are sadly no longer here to enjoy the fruits

of their labour and celebrate this milestoneMarketing executive Heidi Iori says ldquoGampR has always been

a top quality brand in both furniture and customer service Today we continue to try to uphold and even improve on that standard so that the brand may live on and grow further

ldquoCustomers shop with us because we strive to offer a product that differs from our competitors In store we create

MasterGuard+ has been operating in the fabric protection

industry for over 20 years

We offer the fi nest fabric protection available With people always on the

go these days the last thing they need to worry about is the appearance of

their upholstered or leather furniture cushions curtains etc

With our specially formulated fabric protection now you wont have to

This amazing protection prevents oil and water based stains from penetrating into the upholstery and fabrics guaranteeing ease of cleaning and giving you peace of mind

Tel 011 392 4411 bull Fax 011 392 5399wwwmasterguardfabricprotectioncoza

The Ultimate in Fabric Protection

Proud supplier to

Geen amp Richards ndash providing distinctive quality furniture since 1909

page 6

Newsline Geen amp Richards

on reaching an astonishing 100 years We congratulate the management and staff on this

massive milestone and look forward to helping them achieve another 100 years of success and growth

Ghoors Interiors stocks an exclusive selection of beautifully crafted imported furniture that appeals to discerning buyers who understand

style and quality

GHOORS INTERIORS bull 36 Western Boulevard City West Johannesburg South AfricaTel 011 492 2064 bull 011 834 2540 bull Fax 011 833 4649 bull E-mail ghoorsinttelkomsanet bull smcgworldonlinecoza

GHOORSINTERIORS

salutes

a complete image of a distinctive lifestyle to which our customers can relate and replicate in their own homesrdquo

Customer service remains a major focus point at GampR as management strives to continue improving service levels to meet ever-increasing consumer demands and expectations

ldquoWe have a dedicated management team that is committed and results-driven while our staff are passionate about ensuring that GampR remains a premium brand by providing the best service availablerdquo says Iori

Despite being part of the larger furniture retail group Ellerine Holdings Limited Iori says the GampR brand continues to maintain and improve on the exclusive identity it has established over the last 100 years

ldquoOur focus on differentiation through product design quality and service together with a progressive marketing strategy has enabled us to avoid overlapping strategies within the merged group

ldquoAdditionally a consistent internal and external communication strategy on the brand essence together with supplier relationships and their understanding of the brand is crucial to retaining the identityrsquos uniqueness

ldquoWe realise and appreciate that there are many people out there looking for something different for their homes and we take pride in being able to offer styles of furniture that are unique in design and exclusive to usrdquo

Turn key store developmentDesign

Project managementShopfi tting

Drywall partitioningCeilings

Display amp exhibition standsPainting specialists

Cabinet makingInterior amp exterior signage

amp DESIGNERS92 Snapper RdWadeville Ext 2Germiston 1401

TEL (011) 827-0626FAX (011) 827-0661E-Mail ishraaqshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza devonshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza

The corporate identity may have changed but Geen amp Richardsrsquo distinctive quality and excellent customer service remain the same

page 4 | Geen amp RichARds

Newsline Geen amp Richards

RIEGUT MARKETINGwwwriegutcom

SHOWROOM FACTORYCorner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg

P O Box 39338 Bramley 2018Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 bull 0861 RIEGUT (743488)

Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 bull E-mail salesriegutcomMR

Riegut Marketing congratulates Geen amp Richards on 100 years of unparalleled leadership and success in furniture retailing in South Africa

Riegut Marketing are honoured and privileged for having been granted the opportunity to expose and market our niche products through your chain

A partnership of creating a new dimension in furniture design and innovation

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

2009 20092008

2005 20072006

Riegut Marketing boasts an unmatched and most consistent performance in providing the best sellers in Geen amp Richards year after year after hellip

and

Therersquos a new man at the helm of Geen amp Richards but hersquos no newcomer to furniture retail or the Ellerines group HGR questioned managing executive Andre Schoultz about his plans for the store

What business and retail expertise do you bring to GampRI have been in the furniture retail industry for more than 15 years during which time I have been involved at all levels of management learning a great deal from my subordinates colleagus and superiors I have been part of Ellerine Holdingsrsquo executive team for the last six years

How would you describe your management and leadership styleI believe as a leader I have an understanding of myself and

Andre schoultz

Andre Schoultz ndash finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship

Newsline Geen amp Richards

my strengths and limitations This together with a belief that almost anything is achievable through people drives my team dynamics As a leader I believe in challenging the ldquonowrdquo to create and build a better future I am committed to the ongoing development of my teamrsquos abilities and talents and persuading staff to go beyond the call of duty by obtaining their buy-in to the company strategy Encouraging staff to achieve their goals is best done by finding innovative ways to create excitement and positive energy as it is said ldquoleadership never happens in isolationrdquo

What if any new strategies will you be implementing as managing executiveThere are a set number of new strategies that the executive and management teams will implement Increasing our store base is definitely one of them as we are continuously looking for new opportunities Building on current strategies in respect of human capital merchandise and marketing will remain a high priority Our customer value proposition will focus on personalised distinctive service and style Specific focus on implementation is key for the team

How do you rate GampRrsquos performance in the current recessionary climateLike many retailers GampR has been affected by the recessionary climate The brand has preformed acceptably given the current trading environment and will continue to focus on its strategy of growing the business

What if anything can furniture retailers learn from this recessionPerhaps the greatest competitive challenge companies face is adjusting to and even embracing continuous change Constant change means we must create a healthy discomfort with the status quo and an ability to detect emerging trends quicker than the competition The recessionary climate has also shown us that we are capable of influencing events and finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship on the cost side

How do you intend improving awareness of the GampR brand and increasing market shareConsistency will be key in our marketing this year ensuring that our current and paid-up customers are exposed to our marketing offers on a regular basis Database direct marketing will be a major focus and we have identified a particular market segment to which we will be directing targeted marketing to build awareness and increase market share These prospective customers will be reached through niche publications We will continue with our print and catalogue distribution strategies as the majority of our consumers are still triggered by a visual range representation

What sets GampR apart from its competitorsDistinctive styling and exclusivity is the cornerstone of product selection at GampR Passionate sales personnel who are more pedantic about quality than our customers raise the benchmark on finding quality imported products that are not available from our competitors Highly impressive store displays create an environment that makes it easy for customers to visualise the product in their own homes

What can GampR customers look forward to in the coming yearA larger selection of contemporary furniture and lounge that caters for the smaller home and a fresh approach to making accessory selections and occasional and accent pieces with the same attention to detail and quality that GampR is renowned for The rollout of our new store concept will be extended to more stores and judging from the response we have received from our customers so far they enjoying a world-class shopping experience unmatched in our competitive environment

Congratulations to Geen amp Richards on 100 years in business

DIRECT MARKETINGASSOCIATION OF SA

TEL (031) 569 1017 bull FACSIMILE (031) 569 1086E-MAIL carolinevibrantdirectcoza

wwwvibrantdirectcozaUNIT 1 30 MORELAND DRIVE REDHILL INDUSTRIAL PARK

PO BOX 201800 DURBAN NORTH 4016

Direct To Home Distribution Impact Marketing and Promotions

Andre schoultz

Newsline Geen amp Richards

9Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lewis Group has partnered with IT Naledi to improve its game in service provider relationships IT Naledi is to service the grouprsquos 560 branches nationally to boost staff proficiency and meet stringent timetables

Lewis Bellville store manager Edroy Lewis says he welcomes a system that will enable him to work faster IT Naledi dispatches one multiskilled technician to solve myriad technical problems

The partnership will also enable the furniture retailer to better manage its overheads

ldquoThere are no hidden costs in the monthly invoicerdquo says Lewis information technology manager Gareth Hawkey

Purveyors of luxury decor and design will experience pure shopping bliss with the launch of the new Wunders showroom in De Waterkant

Established in 1983 the family-owned business which produces and manufac-tures only the finest quality upholstered furniture in South Africa will complement its new decor emporium with premium internationally sourced contemporary accessories

Emulating the iconic image of summer in the Riviera through the use of fresh vibrant turquoise earthy tones in clean lines and varying natural textures the new Wunders concept store will be refreshed seasonally to provide customers with cur-rent trends and inspiring designer pieces The 200 square metres of exhibition space will form the backdrop of its seasonal showcase of new furniture collections

All things Wunder‑ful launches in Cape Town in November

Wunders produces fine-quality upholstered furniture

New IT partner to improve Lewis

relationships

Buying group Furnex has been granted a Section 311 of the Companies Act allowing it to offer a reduced compromise with its creditors of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation

This follows Furnexrsquos sudden announcement in June that it was ceasing to trade The ldquoannouncementrdquo took the form of a letter emailed to suppliers and members and under the subject line ldquoFurnex Restructurerdquo stated that discussions were underway with ldquovarious interested parties regarding taking over the business of Furnexrdquo The move caught most suppliers and members by surprise to say the least and left many retailers unable to trade

Ascot Bedding and Furniture manag-ing director Des Dussing says he received a call from someone in the Bravo Group warning him that Furnex was having ldquocom-puter problemsrdquo

ldquoWe were in the middle of a promotion at the time and couldnrsquot understand why we were unable to process payments I immediately phoned Furnex but no one would give me a straight answer Then the letter arrivedrdquo

Dussing says he is disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which the matter was handled ldquoI have had a long relationship with Furnex and feel they havenrsquot played the game fairlyrdquo

Dussing was able to open direct ac-counts fairly quickly with larger suppli-ers and was soon conducting business as usual

Appliances for U managing director Danny Daniels was not so lucky He says he made a mistake by committing to one buying group ndash Furnex ndash only ldquoWe had no inkling that the company was in trouble In fact we received a visit from one of the Furnex directors just before the closure notice was sent who said he was happy with our figures He didnrsquot say a word about the company being in trouble or that closure was imminentrdquo

Daniels says he was unable to make alternative arrangements with his companyrsquos creditors who are unwilling to do cash deals or open a direct account ldquoWe have been struggling to trade and losing rebates as a resultrdquo

He strongly advises other retailers not to be a member of one buying group only ldquoSome suppliers have been helpful but our

bottom line has been severely affectedrdquoHGR has been in constant contact

with Furnex managing director Andy Simaan who promised to provide an official statement once everything had been finalised

ldquoI am still trying to save the companyrdquo he said during one of numerous phone calls and to this end had applied to the high court for a Section 311 of the Companies Act which essentially is a scheme of compromise between a company and its creditors where the creditors are asked to accept a reduced compromise of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation The court then calls a meeting of creditors to explain the scheme to them and to put the scheme to their vote Should the compromise be approved by the creditors and sanctioned by the court the winding-up order will be set aside and the company reinstated

The order was granted on 10 September Despite repeated promises by Simaan to provide answers to HGRrsquos written list of questions at the time of going to print he had still not responded

Final countdown for Furnex

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200910

Massmart remains optimistic about growth prospects in South Africa and other African countries despite posting posted a 46 per cent decline in headline earnings for the year to June

Comparable sales growth for the com-pany was also lower from 119 per cent in the first half to 45 per cent in the second but operating profit grew in both halves rising 51 per cent to R2 billion before for-eign exchange movements Total sales rose 107 per cent to R43 billion while compa-rable store sales increased by 82 per cent

CEO Grant Pattison is ldquosatisfiedrdquo with the companyrsquos performance considering that this is the first recession South Africa has had to go through in 17 years ldquoWe are weathering the economic storm with our strategic operational and long-term growth prospects intact and we have gained market share in all our divisions

ldquoWe are responding to the short- term environment challenges but remain con-fident in the underlying strengths of the

group and are excited about the medium to long-term potential in our markets both in South Africa and the rest of Africardquo

The company plans to open ten stores in Africa in six to seven years at a cost of about R100 million each The group has about 20 stores in 13 African countries but these operations have the potential to grow to 50 per cent the size of its South African operations Currently 91 per cent of Massmartrsquos revenue is earned in South Africa

Crime dents profitsPattison says the recession has sparked an increase in crime at its operations marked by an uptick in fraud store robberies and shrinkage which has also negatively affected profits

ldquoThe recession has emboldened criminals Not only has crime escalated but we have also seen a pattern in the type of crime that is hitting our stores It is not your average Joe Block on the streets

who is stealing from us but hardened well orchestrated criminalsrdquo

ldquoDespite the economic downturn Game stores are continuing to grow not only in store numbers but also in profitabilityrdquo Pattison points out ldquoOur Game shops are doing well both in South Africa and outside the country

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of an application by the Furniture Traders Association (FTA) and eleven other respondents including the ldquobig fourrdquo banks that debt review applications require a formal hearing and argument in a magistratersquos court

The ruling comes after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) brought an

application before the court to resolve continued uncertainty over how debt review requests are brought before the Magistratersquos Courts The NCR argued that applications to restructure repayment obligations for an over-indebted person should be a cheaper and simpler admini-strative process than going to court

In his judgment Judge Du Plessis ruled that the debt review process requires certainty and should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules applicable to formal application procedures

The court also ruled that penalties and interest accrued by a person defaulting on debt could not exceed the amount owing FTA executive director Dick Behrens says that this ruling has provided much-need clarity for credit providers specifically those in the retail industry

ldquoIn the past a consumer who owed R5 000 for example ended up paying

R35 000 because of interest and other extra charges The new ruling effectively caps other charges at the original R5 000rdquo

Eric Levenstein an attorney for the four big banks believes all credit providers will welcome the judgment He agrees that the process specified by Judge Du Plessis ndash that applications should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules ndash is technical but says applicants will now have ensure they cross all the Ts and dot all the Is

ldquoI think credit providers have started to realise itrsquos not in their interest to challenge debt counselling applications on the strength of technicalitiesrdquo says NCRrsquos senior manager for Education and Strategy Peter Setou

The ruling will give the legal process a kick start and strengthen efforts to eliminate the backlog which will mean less finger pointing from credit providers

Dick Behrens ndash retail credit providers now have clarity

court provides clarity on debt review process

Grant Pattison ndash satisfied with results

Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish

Newsline

11Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 4: HGR - September 2009

Publisher amp Editor‑in‑ChiefIan Hughes

Email ianhgrcoza

EditorAurette Bowes

Email editorhgrcoza

National sales manager Frances Venter

Cell 072 607 5134

Email saleshgrcoza

Marketing consultant Cherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976

Email cearecruitmwebcoza

Design amp Layout Bianca Keenan-Smith

Email dtphgrcoza

Special Projects Kerryn McMurray

Email kerrynhgrcoza

Administration amp SubscriptionsSameera Hoosein

Email sameerahgrcoza

Office203 Melrose Place (formerly Willowbrook)

Willowbrook Close Melrose North

PO Box 41632

Craighall 2024

Tel (011) 447 9326 Fax (011) 447 9838

Email infohgrcoza

wwwhgrcoza

PrintingPark Avenue

Copyright on all editorial in Home Goods Retailer is owned by the publisher and reproduction without permission is prohibited The opinions expressed in Home Goods Retailer are not necessarily the views held by the editor or publisher We reserve the right to edit ndash for purposes of space and clarity ndash all editorial material and letters submitted for publication

HGR Team

Home Goods Retailer

A centenary celebration all about Furnex and coffee is good for youA hearty congratulations to furniture retailer Geen amp Richards which celebrates its centenary this year Originally founded in Johannesburg by Thomas Richards and Herbert Henry Geen the retailer today boasts no fewer than 65 stores countrywide testimony that distinctive styling and exclusivity remains the cornerstone of product selection at GampR

Still on the news front HGR is pleased to finally be able to bring its readers the long-awaited story on the closure of buying group Furnex no thanks to managing director Andy Simaan who at the time of going to print had still not kept his promise of providing comment or answers to the numerous questions I had put to him ndash in writing at his request

Our Talking Point this month is climate change and the viewpoint expressed by Prof Ian Simler that it is nothing but a ldquocon trickrdquo is intriguing and bears thinking about especially as more and more manufacturers and suppliers ndash the home goods industry not excluded ndash go all out to ensure their systems and processes are not endangering or harming the planet in any way I eagerly await readersrsquo comments on this issue

As the world economy starts to ease out of recession indications are that Christmas will certainly be at least a little less dismal than last year Our Small Domestic Appliances feature is jam-packed with the latest products on offer by suppliers from smoothie makers for summer to a toaster that prepares eggs and toast simultaneously

While preparing the feature I could not help noticing the increasing array of coffee machines available on the market Perhaps this is owing to new research conducted by Harvard which shows that drinking moderate amounts of caffeinated coffee regularly may actually have positive health benefits including lowering the risk of diabetes Parkinsonrsquos disease and colon cancer Therersquos also some evidence that coffee may help manage asthma and even control attacks when medication is unavailable stop a headache boost mood and even prevent cavities

Irsquod say that calls for another cup

facebook

Home Goods Retailer now on Facebook

Join the Facebook community and become a fan of Home Goods Retailer Stay up to date with the latest developments in the household goods retail industry plus keep track of what the HGR team gets up to

Editorrsquos Desk

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 20092

celebrates 100 years of distinctive quality

Serving the aspirant upper end of the furniture market since 1909 Geen amp Richards has become synonymous with products of distinction hence its positioning statement ldquoYour Distinctive Choicerdquo which is reinforced by a reputation of excellent customer service

One of the original Geen amp Richards stores

Newsline Geen amp Richards

3Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Providing great distinctive and exclusive furniture to their customers for 100 years and still ranking as one of the leaders in the furniture industry is certainly something for Geen amp Richards (GampR) to boast about

The furniture store was established in 1909 after an association was formed between Thomas Richards and Herbert Henry Geen who were well experienced in the furniture retail industry and ventured into their own business

The gentlemen opened their first store on the ground floor of 113 President Street in Johannesburg selling locally produced furniture of great quality and exclusive to GampR Within a year they were forced to move to larger premises on Market Street because the business was doing so well

As fashion trends changed GampR evolved from exclusively traditional solid wood designs to the modern features of todayrsquos mode making it a store that caters for a selection of tastes Today there are about 65 Geen amp Richards stores countrywide with another three scheduled to open soon in the Western Cape

The criteria for selecting furniture remain the same however and the company has kept to the values that Thomas Richards and Herbert Geen established from the outset

The century of growth and success celebrated by the current GampR team is a direct result of the legacy left behind by the founders who are sadly no longer here to enjoy the fruits

of their labour and celebrate this milestoneMarketing executive Heidi Iori says ldquoGampR has always been

a top quality brand in both furniture and customer service Today we continue to try to uphold and even improve on that standard so that the brand may live on and grow further

ldquoCustomers shop with us because we strive to offer a product that differs from our competitors In store we create

MasterGuard+ has been operating in the fabric protection

industry for over 20 years

We offer the fi nest fabric protection available With people always on the

go these days the last thing they need to worry about is the appearance of

their upholstered or leather furniture cushions curtains etc

With our specially formulated fabric protection now you wont have to

This amazing protection prevents oil and water based stains from penetrating into the upholstery and fabrics guaranteeing ease of cleaning and giving you peace of mind

Tel 011 392 4411 bull Fax 011 392 5399wwwmasterguardfabricprotectioncoza

The Ultimate in Fabric Protection

Proud supplier to

Geen amp Richards ndash providing distinctive quality furniture since 1909

page 6

Newsline Geen amp Richards

on reaching an astonishing 100 years We congratulate the management and staff on this

massive milestone and look forward to helping them achieve another 100 years of success and growth

Ghoors Interiors stocks an exclusive selection of beautifully crafted imported furniture that appeals to discerning buyers who understand

style and quality

GHOORS INTERIORS bull 36 Western Boulevard City West Johannesburg South AfricaTel 011 492 2064 bull 011 834 2540 bull Fax 011 833 4649 bull E-mail ghoorsinttelkomsanet bull smcgworldonlinecoza

GHOORSINTERIORS

salutes

a complete image of a distinctive lifestyle to which our customers can relate and replicate in their own homesrdquo

Customer service remains a major focus point at GampR as management strives to continue improving service levels to meet ever-increasing consumer demands and expectations

ldquoWe have a dedicated management team that is committed and results-driven while our staff are passionate about ensuring that GampR remains a premium brand by providing the best service availablerdquo says Iori

Despite being part of the larger furniture retail group Ellerine Holdings Limited Iori says the GampR brand continues to maintain and improve on the exclusive identity it has established over the last 100 years

ldquoOur focus on differentiation through product design quality and service together with a progressive marketing strategy has enabled us to avoid overlapping strategies within the merged group

ldquoAdditionally a consistent internal and external communication strategy on the brand essence together with supplier relationships and their understanding of the brand is crucial to retaining the identityrsquos uniqueness

ldquoWe realise and appreciate that there are many people out there looking for something different for their homes and we take pride in being able to offer styles of furniture that are unique in design and exclusive to usrdquo

Turn key store developmentDesign

Project managementShopfi tting

Drywall partitioningCeilings

Display amp exhibition standsPainting specialists

Cabinet makingInterior amp exterior signage

amp DESIGNERS92 Snapper RdWadeville Ext 2Germiston 1401

TEL (011) 827-0626FAX (011) 827-0661E-Mail ishraaqshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza devonshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza

The corporate identity may have changed but Geen amp Richardsrsquo distinctive quality and excellent customer service remain the same

page 4 | Geen amp RichARds

Newsline Geen amp Richards

RIEGUT MARKETINGwwwriegutcom

SHOWROOM FACTORYCorner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg

P O Box 39338 Bramley 2018Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 bull 0861 RIEGUT (743488)

Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 bull E-mail salesriegutcomMR

Riegut Marketing congratulates Geen amp Richards on 100 years of unparalleled leadership and success in furniture retailing in South Africa

Riegut Marketing are honoured and privileged for having been granted the opportunity to expose and market our niche products through your chain

A partnership of creating a new dimension in furniture design and innovation

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

2009 20092008

2005 20072006

Riegut Marketing boasts an unmatched and most consistent performance in providing the best sellers in Geen amp Richards year after year after hellip

and

Therersquos a new man at the helm of Geen amp Richards but hersquos no newcomer to furniture retail or the Ellerines group HGR questioned managing executive Andre Schoultz about his plans for the store

What business and retail expertise do you bring to GampRI have been in the furniture retail industry for more than 15 years during which time I have been involved at all levels of management learning a great deal from my subordinates colleagus and superiors I have been part of Ellerine Holdingsrsquo executive team for the last six years

How would you describe your management and leadership styleI believe as a leader I have an understanding of myself and

Andre schoultz

Andre Schoultz ndash finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship

Newsline Geen amp Richards

my strengths and limitations This together with a belief that almost anything is achievable through people drives my team dynamics As a leader I believe in challenging the ldquonowrdquo to create and build a better future I am committed to the ongoing development of my teamrsquos abilities and talents and persuading staff to go beyond the call of duty by obtaining their buy-in to the company strategy Encouraging staff to achieve their goals is best done by finding innovative ways to create excitement and positive energy as it is said ldquoleadership never happens in isolationrdquo

What if any new strategies will you be implementing as managing executiveThere are a set number of new strategies that the executive and management teams will implement Increasing our store base is definitely one of them as we are continuously looking for new opportunities Building on current strategies in respect of human capital merchandise and marketing will remain a high priority Our customer value proposition will focus on personalised distinctive service and style Specific focus on implementation is key for the team

How do you rate GampRrsquos performance in the current recessionary climateLike many retailers GampR has been affected by the recessionary climate The brand has preformed acceptably given the current trading environment and will continue to focus on its strategy of growing the business

What if anything can furniture retailers learn from this recessionPerhaps the greatest competitive challenge companies face is adjusting to and even embracing continuous change Constant change means we must create a healthy discomfort with the status quo and an ability to detect emerging trends quicker than the competition The recessionary climate has also shown us that we are capable of influencing events and finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship on the cost side

How do you intend improving awareness of the GampR brand and increasing market shareConsistency will be key in our marketing this year ensuring that our current and paid-up customers are exposed to our marketing offers on a regular basis Database direct marketing will be a major focus and we have identified a particular market segment to which we will be directing targeted marketing to build awareness and increase market share These prospective customers will be reached through niche publications We will continue with our print and catalogue distribution strategies as the majority of our consumers are still triggered by a visual range representation

What sets GampR apart from its competitorsDistinctive styling and exclusivity is the cornerstone of product selection at GampR Passionate sales personnel who are more pedantic about quality than our customers raise the benchmark on finding quality imported products that are not available from our competitors Highly impressive store displays create an environment that makes it easy for customers to visualise the product in their own homes

What can GampR customers look forward to in the coming yearA larger selection of contemporary furniture and lounge that caters for the smaller home and a fresh approach to making accessory selections and occasional and accent pieces with the same attention to detail and quality that GampR is renowned for The rollout of our new store concept will be extended to more stores and judging from the response we have received from our customers so far they enjoying a world-class shopping experience unmatched in our competitive environment

Congratulations to Geen amp Richards on 100 years in business

DIRECT MARKETINGASSOCIATION OF SA

TEL (031) 569 1017 bull FACSIMILE (031) 569 1086E-MAIL carolinevibrantdirectcoza

wwwvibrantdirectcozaUNIT 1 30 MORELAND DRIVE REDHILL INDUSTRIAL PARK

PO BOX 201800 DURBAN NORTH 4016

Direct To Home Distribution Impact Marketing and Promotions

Andre schoultz

Newsline Geen amp Richards

9Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lewis Group has partnered with IT Naledi to improve its game in service provider relationships IT Naledi is to service the grouprsquos 560 branches nationally to boost staff proficiency and meet stringent timetables

Lewis Bellville store manager Edroy Lewis says he welcomes a system that will enable him to work faster IT Naledi dispatches one multiskilled technician to solve myriad technical problems

The partnership will also enable the furniture retailer to better manage its overheads

ldquoThere are no hidden costs in the monthly invoicerdquo says Lewis information technology manager Gareth Hawkey

Purveyors of luxury decor and design will experience pure shopping bliss with the launch of the new Wunders showroom in De Waterkant

Established in 1983 the family-owned business which produces and manufac-tures only the finest quality upholstered furniture in South Africa will complement its new decor emporium with premium internationally sourced contemporary accessories

Emulating the iconic image of summer in the Riviera through the use of fresh vibrant turquoise earthy tones in clean lines and varying natural textures the new Wunders concept store will be refreshed seasonally to provide customers with cur-rent trends and inspiring designer pieces The 200 square metres of exhibition space will form the backdrop of its seasonal showcase of new furniture collections

All things Wunder‑ful launches in Cape Town in November

Wunders produces fine-quality upholstered furniture

New IT partner to improve Lewis

relationships

Buying group Furnex has been granted a Section 311 of the Companies Act allowing it to offer a reduced compromise with its creditors of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation

This follows Furnexrsquos sudden announcement in June that it was ceasing to trade The ldquoannouncementrdquo took the form of a letter emailed to suppliers and members and under the subject line ldquoFurnex Restructurerdquo stated that discussions were underway with ldquovarious interested parties regarding taking over the business of Furnexrdquo The move caught most suppliers and members by surprise to say the least and left many retailers unable to trade

Ascot Bedding and Furniture manag-ing director Des Dussing says he received a call from someone in the Bravo Group warning him that Furnex was having ldquocom-puter problemsrdquo

ldquoWe were in the middle of a promotion at the time and couldnrsquot understand why we were unable to process payments I immediately phoned Furnex but no one would give me a straight answer Then the letter arrivedrdquo

Dussing says he is disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which the matter was handled ldquoI have had a long relationship with Furnex and feel they havenrsquot played the game fairlyrdquo

Dussing was able to open direct ac-counts fairly quickly with larger suppli-ers and was soon conducting business as usual

Appliances for U managing director Danny Daniels was not so lucky He says he made a mistake by committing to one buying group ndash Furnex ndash only ldquoWe had no inkling that the company was in trouble In fact we received a visit from one of the Furnex directors just before the closure notice was sent who said he was happy with our figures He didnrsquot say a word about the company being in trouble or that closure was imminentrdquo

Daniels says he was unable to make alternative arrangements with his companyrsquos creditors who are unwilling to do cash deals or open a direct account ldquoWe have been struggling to trade and losing rebates as a resultrdquo

He strongly advises other retailers not to be a member of one buying group only ldquoSome suppliers have been helpful but our

bottom line has been severely affectedrdquoHGR has been in constant contact

with Furnex managing director Andy Simaan who promised to provide an official statement once everything had been finalised

ldquoI am still trying to save the companyrdquo he said during one of numerous phone calls and to this end had applied to the high court for a Section 311 of the Companies Act which essentially is a scheme of compromise between a company and its creditors where the creditors are asked to accept a reduced compromise of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation The court then calls a meeting of creditors to explain the scheme to them and to put the scheme to their vote Should the compromise be approved by the creditors and sanctioned by the court the winding-up order will be set aside and the company reinstated

The order was granted on 10 September Despite repeated promises by Simaan to provide answers to HGRrsquos written list of questions at the time of going to print he had still not responded

Final countdown for Furnex

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200910

Massmart remains optimistic about growth prospects in South Africa and other African countries despite posting posted a 46 per cent decline in headline earnings for the year to June

Comparable sales growth for the com-pany was also lower from 119 per cent in the first half to 45 per cent in the second but operating profit grew in both halves rising 51 per cent to R2 billion before for-eign exchange movements Total sales rose 107 per cent to R43 billion while compa-rable store sales increased by 82 per cent

CEO Grant Pattison is ldquosatisfiedrdquo with the companyrsquos performance considering that this is the first recession South Africa has had to go through in 17 years ldquoWe are weathering the economic storm with our strategic operational and long-term growth prospects intact and we have gained market share in all our divisions

ldquoWe are responding to the short- term environment challenges but remain con-fident in the underlying strengths of the

group and are excited about the medium to long-term potential in our markets both in South Africa and the rest of Africardquo

The company plans to open ten stores in Africa in six to seven years at a cost of about R100 million each The group has about 20 stores in 13 African countries but these operations have the potential to grow to 50 per cent the size of its South African operations Currently 91 per cent of Massmartrsquos revenue is earned in South Africa

Crime dents profitsPattison says the recession has sparked an increase in crime at its operations marked by an uptick in fraud store robberies and shrinkage which has also negatively affected profits

ldquoThe recession has emboldened criminals Not only has crime escalated but we have also seen a pattern in the type of crime that is hitting our stores It is not your average Joe Block on the streets

who is stealing from us but hardened well orchestrated criminalsrdquo

ldquoDespite the economic downturn Game stores are continuing to grow not only in store numbers but also in profitabilityrdquo Pattison points out ldquoOur Game shops are doing well both in South Africa and outside the country

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of an application by the Furniture Traders Association (FTA) and eleven other respondents including the ldquobig fourrdquo banks that debt review applications require a formal hearing and argument in a magistratersquos court

The ruling comes after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) brought an

application before the court to resolve continued uncertainty over how debt review requests are brought before the Magistratersquos Courts The NCR argued that applications to restructure repayment obligations for an over-indebted person should be a cheaper and simpler admini-strative process than going to court

In his judgment Judge Du Plessis ruled that the debt review process requires certainty and should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules applicable to formal application procedures

The court also ruled that penalties and interest accrued by a person defaulting on debt could not exceed the amount owing FTA executive director Dick Behrens says that this ruling has provided much-need clarity for credit providers specifically those in the retail industry

ldquoIn the past a consumer who owed R5 000 for example ended up paying

R35 000 because of interest and other extra charges The new ruling effectively caps other charges at the original R5 000rdquo

Eric Levenstein an attorney for the four big banks believes all credit providers will welcome the judgment He agrees that the process specified by Judge Du Plessis ndash that applications should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules ndash is technical but says applicants will now have ensure they cross all the Ts and dot all the Is

ldquoI think credit providers have started to realise itrsquos not in their interest to challenge debt counselling applications on the strength of technicalitiesrdquo says NCRrsquos senior manager for Education and Strategy Peter Setou

The ruling will give the legal process a kick start and strengthen efforts to eliminate the backlog which will mean less finger pointing from credit providers

Dick Behrens ndash retail credit providers now have clarity

court provides clarity on debt review process

Grant Pattison ndash satisfied with results

Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish

Newsline

11Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

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Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

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bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

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bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

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HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 5: HGR - September 2009

celebrates 100 years of distinctive quality

Serving the aspirant upper end of the furniture market since 1909 Geen amp Richards has become synonymous with products of distinction hence its positioning statement ldquoYour Distinctive Choicerdquo which is reinforced by a reputation of excellent customer service

One of the original Geen amp Richards stores

Newsline Geen amp Richards

3Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Providing great distinctive and exclusive furniture to their customers for 100 years and still ranking as one of the leaders in the furniture industry is certainly something for Geen amp Richards (GampR) to boast about

The furniture store was established in 1909 after an association was formed between Thomas Richards and Herbert Henry Geen who were well experienced in the furniture retail industry and ventured into their own business

The gentlemen opened their first store on the ground floor of 113 President Street in Johannesburg selling locally produced furniture of great quality and exclusive to GampR Within a year they were forced to move to larger premises on Market Street because the business was doing so well

As fashion trends changed GampR evolved from exclusively traditional solid wood designs to the modern features of todayrsquos mode making it a store that caters for a selection of tastes Today there are about 65 Geen amp Richards stores countrywide with another three scheduled to open soon in the Western Cape

The criteria for selecting furniture remain the same however and the company has kept to the values that Thomas Richards and Herbert Geen established from the outset

The century of growth and success celebrated by the current GampR team is a direct result of the legacy left behind by the founders who are sadly no longer here to enjoy the fruits

of their labour and celebrate this milestoneMarketing executive Heidi Iori says ldquoGampR has always been

a top quality brand in both furniture and customer service Today we continue to try to uphold and even improve on that standard so that the brand may live on and grow further

ldquoCustomers shop with us because we strive to offer a product that differs from our competitors In store we create

MasterGuard+ has been operating in the fabric protection

industry for over 20 years

We offer the fi nest fabric protection available With people always on the

go these days the last thing they need to worry about is the appearance of

their upholstered or leather furniture cushions curtains etc

With our specially formulated fabric protection now you wont have to

This amazing protection prevents oil and water based stains from penetrating into the upholstery and fabrics guaranteeing ease of cleaning and giving you peace of mind

Tel 011 392 4411 bull Fax 011 392 5399wwwmasterguardfabricprotectioncoza

The Ultimate in Fabric Protection

Proud supplier to

Geen amp Richards ndash providing distinctive quality furniture since 1909

page 6

Newsline Geen amp Richards

on reaching an astonishing 100 years We congratulate the management and staff on this

massive milestone and look forward to helping them achieve another 100 years of success and growth

Ghoors Interiors stocks an exclusive selection of beautifully crafted imported furniture that appeals to discerning buyers who understand

style and quality

GHOORS INTERIORS bull 36 Western Boulevard City West Johannesburg South AfricaTel 011 492 2064 bull 011 834 2540 bull Fax 011 833 4649 bull E-mail ghoorsinttelkomsanet bull smcgworldonlinecoza

GHOORSINTERIORS

salutes

a complete image of a distinctive lifestyle to which our customers can relate and replicate in their own homesrdquo

Customer service remains a major focus point at GampR as management strives to continue improving service levels to meet ever-increasing consumer demands and expectations

ldquoWe have a dedicated management team that is committed and results-driven while our staff are passionate about ensuring that GampR remains a premium brand by providing the best service availablerdquo says Iori

Despite being part of the larger furniture retail group Ellerine Holdings Limited Iori says the GampR brand continues to maintain and improve on the exclusive identity it has established over the last 100 years

ldquoOur focus on differentiation through product design quality and service together with a progressive marketing strategy has enabled us to avoid overlapping strategies within the merged group

ldquoAdditionally a consistent internal and external communication strategy on the brand essence together with supplier relationships and their understanding of the brand is crucial to retaining the identityrsquos uniqueness

ldquoWe realise and appreciate that there are many people out there looking for something different for their homes and we take pride in being able to offer styles of furniture that are unique in design and exclusive to usrdquo

Turn key store developmentDesign

Project managementShopfi tting

Drywall partitioningCeilings

Display amp exhibition standsPainting specialists

Cabinet makingInterior amp exterior signage

amp DESIGNERS92 Snapper RdWadeville Ext 2Germiston 1401

TEL (011) 827-0626FAX (011) 827-0661E-Mail ishraaqshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza devonshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza

The corporate identity may have changed but Geen amp Richardsrsquo distinctive quality and excellent customer service remain the same

page 4 | Geen amp RichARds

Newsline Geen amp Richards

RIEGUT MARKETINGwwwriegutcom

SHOWROOM FACTORYCorner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg

P O Box 39338 Bramley 2018Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 bull 0861 RIEGUT (743488)

Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 bull E-mail salesriegutcomMR

Riegut Marketing congratulates Geen amp Richards on 100 years of unparalleled leadership and success in furniture retailing in South Africa

Riegut Marketing are honoured and privileged for having been granted the opportunity to expose and market our niche products through your chain

A partnership of creating a new dimension in furniture design and innovation

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

2009 20092008

2005 20072006

Riegut Marketing boasts an unmatched and most consistent performance in providing the best sellers in Geen amp Richards year after year after hellip

and

Therersquos a new man at the helm of Geen amp Richards but hersquos no newcomer to furniture retail or the Ellerines group HGR questioned managing executive Andre Schoultz about his plans for the store

What business and retail expertise do you bring to GampRI have been in the furniture retail industry for more than 15 years during which time I have been involved at all levels of management learning a great deal from my subordinates colleagus and superiors I have been part of Ellerine Holdingsrsquo executive team for the last six years

How would you describe your management and leadership styleI believe as a leader I have an understanding of myself and

Andre schoultz

Andre Schoultz ndash finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship

Newsline Geen amp Richards

my strengths and limitations This together with a belief that almost anything is achievable through people drives my team dynamics As a leader I believe in challenging the ldquonowrdquo to create and build a better future I am committed to the ongoing development of my teamrsquos abilities and talents and persuading staff to go beyond the call of duty by obtaining their buy-in to the company strategy Encouraging staff to achieve their goals is best done by finding innovative ways to create excitement and positive energy as it is said ldquoleadership never happens in isolationrdquo

What if any new strategies will you be implementing as managing executiveThere are a set number of new strategies that the executive and management teams will implement Increasing our store base is definitely one of them as we are continuously looking for new opportunities Building on current strategies in respect of human capital merchandise and marketing will remain a high priority Our customer value proposition will focus on personalised distinctive service and style Specific focus on implementation is key for the team

How do you rate GampRrsquos performance in the current recessionary climateLike many retailers GampR has been affected by the recessionary climate The brand has preformed acceptably given the current trading environment and will continue to focus on its strategy of growing the business

What if anything can furniture retailers learn from this recessionPerhaps the greatest competitive challenge companies face is adjusting to and even embracing continuous change Constant change means we must create a healthy discomfort with the status quo and an ability to detect emerging trends quicker than the competition The recessionary climate has also shown us that we are capable of influencing events and finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship on the cost side

How do you intend improving awareness of the GampR brand and increasing market shareConsistency will be key in our marketing this year ensuring that our current and paid-up customers are exposed to our marketing offers on a regular basis Database direct marketing will be a major focus and we have identified a particular market segment to which we will be directing targeted marketing to build awareness and increase market share These prospective customers will be reached through niche publications We will continue with our print and catalogue distribution strategies as the majority of our consumers are still triggered by a visual range representation

What sets GampR apart from its competitorsDistinctive styling and exclusivity is the cornerstone of product selection at GampR Passionate sales personnel who are more pedantic about quality than our customers raise the benchmark on finding quality imported products that are not available from our competitors Highly impressive store displays create an environment that makes it easy for customers to visualise the product in their own homes

What can GampR customers look forward to in the coming yearA larger selection of contemporary furniture and lounge that caters for the smaller home and a fresh approach to making accessory selections and occasional and accent pieces with the same attention to detail and quality that GampR is renowned for The rollout of our new store concept will be extended to more stores and judging from the response we have received from our customers so far they enjoying a world-class shopping experience unmatched in our competitive environment

Congratulations to Geen amp Richards on 100 years in business

DIRECT MARKETINGASSOCIATION OF SA

TEL (031) 569 1017 bull FACSIMILE (031) 569 1086E-MAIL carolinevibrantdirectcoza

wwwvibrantdirectcozaUNIT 1 30 MORELAND DRIVE REDHILL INDUSTRIAL PARK

PO BOX 201800 DURBAN NORTH 4016

Direct To Home Distribution Impact Marketing and Promotions

Andre schoultz

Newsline Geen amp Richards

9Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lewis Group has partnered with IT Naledi to improve its game in service provider relationships IT Naledi is to service the grouprsquos 560 branches nationally to boost staff proficiency and meet stringent timetables

Lewis Bellville store manager Edroy Lewis says he welcomes a system that will enable him to work faster IT Naledi dispatches one multiskilled technician to solve myriad technical problems

The partnership will also enable the furniture retailer to better manage its overheads

ldquoThere are no hidden costs in the monthly invoicerdquo says Lewis information technology manager Gareth Hawkey

Purveyors of luxury decor and design will experience pure shopping bliss with the launch of the new Wunders showroom in De Waterkant

Established in 1983 the family-owned business which produces and manufac-tures only the finest quality upholstered furniture in South Africa will complement its new decor emporium with premium internationally sourced contemporary accessories

Emulating the iconic image of summer in the Riviera through the use of fresh vibrant turquoise earthy tones in clean lines and varying natural textures the new Wunders concept store will be refreshed seasonally to provide customers with cur-rent trends and inspiring designer pieces The 200 square metres of exhibition space will form the backdrop of its seasonal showcase of new furniture collections

All things Wunder‑ful launches in Cape Town in November

Wunders produces fine-quality upholstered furniture

New IT partner to improve Lewis

relationships

Buying group Furnex has been granted a Section 311 of the Companies Act allowing it to offer a reduced compromise with its creditors of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation

This follows Furnexrsquos sudden announcement in June that it was ceasing to trade The ldquoannouncementrdquo took the form of a letter emailed to suppliers and members and under the subject line ldquoFurnex Restructurerdquo stated that discussions were underway with ldquovarious interested parties regarding taking over the business of Furnexrdquo The move caught most suppliers and members by surprise to say the least and left many retailers unable to trade

Ascot Bedding and Furniture manag-ing director Des Dussing says he received a call from someone in the Bravo Group warning him that Furnex was having ldquocom-puter problemsrdquo

ldquoWe were in the middle of a promotion at the time and couldnrsquot understand why we were unable to process payments I immediately phoned Furnex but no one would give me a straight answer Then the letter arrivedrdquo

Dussing says he is disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which the matter was handled ldquoI have had a long relationship with Furnex and feel they havenrsquot played the game fairlyrdquo

Dussing was able to open direct ac-counts fairly quickly with larger suppli-ers and was soon conducting business as usual

Appliances for U managing director Danny Daniels was not so lucky He says he made a mistake by committing to one buying group ndash Furnex ndash only ldquoWe had no inkling that the company was in trouble In fact we received a visit from one of the Furnex directors just before the closure notice was sent who said he was happy with our figures He didnrsquot say a word about the company being in trouble or that closure was imminentrdquo

Daniels says he was unable to make alternative arrangements with his companyrsquos creditors who are unwilling to do cash deals or open a direct account ldquoWe have been struggling to trade and losing rebates as a resultrdquo

He strongly advises other retailers not to be a member of one buying group only ldquoSome suppliers have been helpful but our

bottom line has been severely affectedrdquoHGR has been in constant contact

with Furnex managing director Andy Simaan who promised to provide an official statement once everything had been finalised

ldquoI am still trying to save the companyrdquo he said during one of numerous phone calls and to this end had applied to the high court for a Section 311 of the Companies Act which essentially is a scheme of compromise between a company and its creditors where the creditors are asked to accept a reduced compromise of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation The court then calls a meeting of creditors to explain the scheme to them and to put the scheme to their vote Should the compromise be approved by the creditors and sanctioned by the court the winding-up order will be set aside and the company reinstated

The order was granted on 10 September Despite repeated promises by Simaan to provide answers to HGRrsquos written list of questions at the time of going to print he had still not responded

Final countdown for Furnex

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200910

Massmart remains optimistic about growth prospects in South Africa and other African countries despite posting posted a 46 per cent decline in headline earnings for the year to June

Comparable sales growth for the com-pany was also lower from 119 per cent in the first half to 45 per cent in the second but operating profit grew in both halves rising 51 per cent to R2 billion before for-eign exchange movements Total sales rose 107 per cent to R43 billion while compa-rable store sales increased by 82 per cent

CEO Grant Pattison is ldquosatisfiedrdquo with the companyrsquos performance considering that this is the first recession South Africa has had to go through in 17 years ldquoWe are weathering the economic storm with our strategic operational and long-term growth prospects intact and we have gained market share in all our divisions

ldquoWe are responding to the short- term environment challenges but remain con-fident in the underlying strengths of the

group and are excited about the medium to long-term potential in our markets both in South Africa and the rest of Africardquo

The company plans to open ten stores in Africa in six to seven years at a cost of about R100 million each The group has about 20 stores in 13 African countries but these operations have the potential to grow to 50 per cent the size of its South African operations Currently 91 per cent of Massmartrsquos revenue is earned in South Africa

Crime dents profitsPattison says the recession has sparked an increase in crime at its operations marked by an uptick in fraud store robberies and shrinkage which has also negatively affected profits

ldquoThe recession has emboldened criminals Not only has crime escalated but we have also seen a pattern in the type of crime that is hitting our stores It is not your average Joe Block on the streets

who is stealing from us but hardened well orchestrated criminalsrdquo

ldquoDespite the economic downturn Game stores are continuing to grow not only in store numbers but also in profitabilityrdquo Pattison points out ldquoOur Game shops are doing well both in South Africa and outside the country

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of an application by the Furniture Traders Association (FTA) and eleven other respondents including the ldquobig fourrdquo banks that debt review applications require a formal hearing and argument in a magistratersquos court

The ruling comes after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) brought an

application before the court to resolve continued uncertainty over how debt review requests are brought before the Magistratersquos Courts The NCR argued that applications to restructure repayment obligations for an over-indebted person should be a cheaper and simpler admini-strative process than going to court

In his judgment Judge Du Plessis ruled that the debt review process requires certainty and should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules applicable to formal application procedures

The court also ruled that penalties and interest accrued by a person defaulting on debt could not exceed the amount owing FTA executive director Dick Behrens says that this ruling has provided much-need clarity for credit providers specifically those in the retail industry

ldquoIn the past a consumer who owed R5 000 for example ended up paying

R35 000 because of interest and other extra charges The new ruling effectively caps other charges at the original R5 000rdquo

Eric Levenstein an attorney for the four big banks believes all credit providers will welcome the judgment He agrees that the process specified by Judge Du Plessis ndash that applications should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules ndash is technical but says applicants will now have ensure they cross all the Ts and dot all the Is

ldquoI think credit providers have started to realise itrsquos not in their interest to challenge debt counselling applications on the strength of technicalitiesrdquo says NCRrsquos senior manager for Education and Strategy Peter Setou

The ruling will give the legal process a kick start and strengthen efforts to eliminate the backlog which will mean less finger pointing from credit providers

Dick Behrens ndash retail credit providers now have clarity

court provides clarity on debt review process

Grant Pattison ndash satisfied with results

Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish

Newsline

11Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 6: HGR - September 2009

Providing great distinctive and exclusive furniture to their customers for 100 years and still ranking as one of the leaders in the furniture industry is certainly something for Geen amp Richards (GampR) to boast about

The furniture store was established in 1909 after an association was formed between Thomas Richards and Herbert Henry Geen who were well experienced in the furniture retail industry and ventured into their own business

The gentlemen opened their first store on the ground floor of 113 President Street in Johannesburg selling locally produced furniture of great quality and exclusive to GampR Within a year they were forced to move to larger premises on Market Street because the business was doing so well

As fashion trends changed GampR evolved from exclusively traditional solid wood designs to the modern features of todayrsquos mode making it a store that caters for a selection of tastes Today there are about 65 Geen amp Richards stores countrywide with another three scheduled to open soon in the Western Cape

The criteria for selecting furniture remain the same however and the company has kept to the values that Thomas Richards and Herbert Geen established from the outset

The century of growth and success celebrated by the current GampR team is a direct result of the legacy left behind by the founders who are sadly no longer here to enjoy the fruits

of their labour and celebrate this milestoneMarketing executive Heidi Iori says ldquoGampR has always been

a top quality brand in both furniture and customer service Today we continue to try to uphold and even improve on that standard so that the brand may live on and grow further

ldquoCustomers shop with us because we strive to offer a product that differs from our competitors In store we create

MasterGuard+ has been operating in the fabric protection

industry for over 20 years

We offer the fi nest fabric protection available With people always on the

go these days the last thing they need to worry about is the appearance of

their upholstered or leather furniture cushions curtains etc

With our specially formulated fabric protection now you wont have to

This amazing protection prevents oil and water based stains from penetrating into the upholstery and fabrics guaranteeing ease of cleaning and giving you peace of mind

Tel 011 392 4411 bull Fax 011 392 5399wwwmasterguardfabricprotectioncoza

The Ultimate in Fabric Protection

Proud supplier to

Geen amp Richards ndash providing distinctive quality furniture since 1909

page 6

Newsline Geen amp Richards

on reaching an astonishing 100 years We congratulate the management and staff on this

massive milestone and look forward to helping them achieve another 100 years of success and growth

Ghoors Interiors stocks an exclusive selection of beautifully crafted imported furniture that appeals to discerning buyers who understand

style and quality

GHOORS INTERIORS bull 36 Western Boulevard City West Johannesburg South AfricaTel 011 492 2064 bull 011 834 2540 bull Fax 011 833 4649 bull E-mail ghoorsinttelkomsanet bull smcgworldonlinecoza

GHOORSINTERIORS

salutes

a complete image of a distinctive lifestyle to which our customers can relate and replicate in their own homesrdquo

Customer service remains a major focus point at GampR as management strives to continue improving service levels to meet ever-increasing consumer demands and expectations

ldquoWe have a dedicated management team that is committed and results-driven while our staff are passionate about ensuring that GampR remains a premium brand by providing the best service availablerdquo says Iori

Despite being part of the larger furniture retail group Ellerine Holdings Limited Iori says the GampR brand continues to maintain and improve on the exclusive identity it has established over the last 100 years

ldquoOur focus on differentiation through product design quality and service together with a progressive marketing strategy has enabled us to avoid overlapping strategies within the merged group

ldquoAdditionally a consistent internal and external communication strategy on the brand essence together with supplier relationships and their understanding of the brand is crucial to retaining the identityrsquos uniqueness

ldquoWe realise and appreciate that there are many people out there looking for something different for their homes and we take pride in being able to offer styles of furniture that are unique in design and exclusive to usrdquo

Turn key store developmentDesign

Project managementShopfi tting

Drywall partitioningCeilings

Display amp exhibition standsPainting specialists

Cabinet makingInterior amp exterior signage

amp DESIGNERS92 Snapper RdWadeville Ext 2Germiston 1401

TEL (011) 827-0626FAX (011) 827-0661E-Mail ishraaqshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza devonshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza

The corporate identity may have changed but Geen amp Richardsrsquo distinctive quality and excellent customer service remain the same

page 4 | Geen amp RichARds

Newsline Geen amp Richards

RIEGUT MARKETINGwwwriegutcom

SHOWROOM FACTORYCorner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg

P O Box 39338 Bramley 2018Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 bull 0861 RIEGUT (743488)

Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 bull E-mail salesriegutcomMR

Riegut Marketing congratulates Geen amp Richards on 100 years of unparalleled leadership and success in furniture retailing in South Africa

Riegut Marketing are honoured and privileged for having been granted the opportunity to expose and market our niche products through your chain

A partnership of creating a new dimension in furniture design and innovation

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

2009 20092008

2005 20072006

Riegut Marketing boasts an unmatched and most consistent performance in providing the best sellers in Geen amp Richards year after year after hellip

and

Therersquos a new man at the helm of Geen amp Richards but hersquos no newcomer to furniture retail or the Ellerines group HGR questioned managing executive Andre Schoultz about his plans for the store

What business and retail expertise do you bring to GampRI have been in the furniture retail industry for more than 15 years during which time I have been involved at all levels of management learning a great deal from my subordinates colleagus and superiors I have been part of Ellerine Holdingsrsquo executive team for the last six years

How would you describe your management and leadership styleI believe as a leader I have an understanding of myself and

Andre schoultz

Andre Schoultz ndash finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship

Newsline Geen amp Richards

my strengths and limitations This together with a belief that almost anything is achievable through people drives my team dynamics As a leader I believe in challenging the ldquonowrdquo to create and build a better future I am committed to the ongoing development of my teamrsquos abilities and talents and persuading staff to go beyond the call of duty by obtaining their buy-in to the company strategy Encouraging staff to achieve their goals is best done by finding innovative ways to create excitement and positive energy as it is said ldquoleadership never happens in isolationrdquo

What if any new strategies will you be implementing as managing executiveThere are a set number of new strategies that the executive and management teams will implement Increasing our store base is definitely one of them as we are continuously looking for new opportunities Building on current strategies in respect of human capital merchandise and marketing will remain a high priority Our customer value proposition will focus on personalised distinctive service and style Specific focus on implementation is key for the team

How do you rate GampRrsquos performance in the current recessionary climateLike many retailers GampR has been affected by the recessionary climate The brand has preformed acceptably given the current trading environment and will continue to focus on its strategy of growing the business

What if anything can furniture retailers learn from this recessionPerhaps the greatest competitive challenge companies face is adjusting to and even embracing continuous change Constant change means we must create a healthy discomfort with the status quo and an ability to detect emerging trends quicker than the competition The recessionary climate has also shown us that we are capable of influencing events and finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship on the cost side

How do you intend improving awareness of the GampR brand and increasing market shareConsistency will be key in our marketing this year ensuring that our current and paid-up customers are exposed to our marketing offers on a regular basis Database direct marketing will be a major focus and we have identified a particular market segment to which we will be directing targeted marketing to build awareness and increase market share These prospective customers will be reached through niche publications We will continue with our print and catalogue distribution strategies as the majority of our consumers are still triggered by a visual range representation

What sets GampR apart from its competitorsDistinctive styling and exclusivity is the cornerstone of product selection at GampR Passionate sales personnel who are more pedantic about quality than our customers raise the benchmark on finding quality imported products that are not available from our competitors Highly impressive store displays create an environment that makes it easy for customers to visualise the product in their own homes

What can GampR customers look forward to in the coming yearA larger selection of contemporary furniture and lounge that caters for the smaller home and a fresh approach to making accessory selections and occasional and accent pieces with the same attention to detail and quality that GampR is renowned for The rollout of our new store concept will be extended to more stores and judging from the response we have received from our customers so far they enjoying a world-class shopping experience unmatched in our competitive environment

Congratulations to Geen amp Richards on 100 years in business

DIRECT MARKETINGASSOCIATION OF SA

TEL (031) 569 1017 bull FACSIMILE (031) 569 1086E-MAIL carolinevibrantdirectcoza

wwwvibrantdirectcozaUNIT 1 30 MORELAND DRIVE REDHILL INDUSTRIAL PARK

PO BOX 201800 DURBAN NORTH 4016

Direct To Home Distribution Impact Marketing and Promotions

Andre schoultz

Newsline Geen amp Richards

9Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lewis Group has partnered with IT Naledi to improve its game in service provider relationships IT Naledi is to service the grouprsquos 560 branches nationally to boost staff proficiency and meet stringent timetables

Lewis Bellville store manager Edroy Lewis says he welcomes a system that will enable him to work faster IT Naledi dispatches one multiskilled technician to solve myriad technical problems

The partnership will also enable the furniture retailer to better manage its overheads

ldquoThere are no hidden costs in the monthly invoicerdquo says Lewis information technology manager Gareth Hawkey

Purveyors of luxury decor and design will experience pure shopping bliss with the launch of the new Wunders showroom in De Waterkant

Established in 1983 the family-owned business which produces and manufac-tures only the finest quality upholstered furniture in South Africa will complement its new decor emporium with premium internationally sourced contemporary accessories

Emulating the iconic image of summer in the Riviera through the use of fresh vibrant turquoise earthy tones in clean lines and varying natural textures the new Wunders concept store will be refreshed seasonally to provide customers with cur-rent trends and inspiring designer pieces The 200 square metres of exhibition space will form the backdrop of its seasonal showcase of new furniture collections

All things Wunder‑ful launches in Cape Town in November

Wunders produces fine-quality upholstered furniture

New IT partner to improve Lewis

relationships

Buying group Furnex has been granted a Section 311 of the Companies Act allowing it to offer a reduced compromise with its creditors of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation

This follows Furnexrsquos sudden announcement in June that it was ceasing to trade The ldquoannouncementrdquo took the form of a letter emailed to suppliers and members and under the subject line ldquoFurnex Restructurerdquo stated that discussions were underway with ldquovarious interested parties regarding taking over the business of Furnexrdquo The move caught most suppliers and members by surprise to say the least and left many retailers unable to trade

Ascot Bedding and Furniture manag-ing director Des Dussing says he received a call from someone in the Bravo Group warning him that Furnex was having ldquocom-puter problemsrdquo

ldquoWe were in the middle of a promotion at the time and couldnrsquot understand why we were unable to process payments I immediately phoned Furnex but no one would give me a straight answer Then the letter arrivedrdquo

Dussing says he is disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which the matter was handled ldquoI have had a long relationship with Furnex and feel they havenrsquot played the game fairlyrdquo

Dussing was able to open direct ac-counts fairly quickly with larger suppli-ers and was soon conducting business as usual

Appliances for U managing director Danny Daniels was not so lucky He says he made a mistake by committing to one buying group ndash Furnex ndash only ldquoWe had no inkling that the company was in trouble In fact we received a visit from one of the Furnex directors just before the closure notice was sent who said he was happy with our figures He didnrsquot say a word about the company being in trouble or that closure was imminentrdquo

Daniels says he was unable to make alternative arrangements with his companyrsquos creditors who are unwilling to do cash deals or open a direct account ldquoWe have been struggling to trade and losing rebates as a resultrdquo

He strongly advises other retailers not to be a member of one buying group only ldquoSome suppliers have been helpful but our

bottom line has been severely affectedrdquoHGR has been in constant contact

with Furnex managing director Andy Simaan who promised to provide an official statement once everything had been finalised

ldquoI am still trying to save the companyrdquo he said during one of numerous phone calls and to this end had applied to the high court for a Section 311 of the Companies Act which essentially is a scheme of compromise between a company and its creditors where the creditors are asked to accept a reduced compromise of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation The court then calls a meeting of creditors to explain the scheme to them and to put the scheme to their vote Should the compromise be approved by the creditors and sanctioned by the court the winding-up order will be set aside and the company reinstated

The order was granted on 10 September Despite repeated promises by Simaan to provide answers to HGRrsquos written list of questions at the time of going to print he had still not responded

Final countdown for Furnex

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200910

Massmart remains optimistic about growth prospects in South Africa and other African countries despite posting posted a 46 per cent decline in headline earnings for the year to June

Comparable sales growth for the com-pany was also lower from 119 per cent in the first half to 45 per cent in the second but operating profit grew in both halves rising 51 per cent to R2 billion before for-eign exchange movements Total sales rose 107 per cent to R43 billion while compa-rable store sales increased by 82 per cent

CEO Grant Pattison is ldquosatisfiedrdquo with the companyrsquos performance considering that this is the first recession South Africa has had to go through in 17 years ldquoWe are weathering the economic storm with our strategic operational and long-term growth prospects intact and we have gained market share in all our divisions

ldquoWe are responding to the short- term environment challenges but remain con-fident in the underlying strengths of the

group and are excited about the medium to long-term potential in our markets both in South Africa and the rest of Africardquo

The company plans to open ten stores in Africa in six to seven years at a cost of about R100 million each The group has about 20 stores in 13 African countries but these operations have the potential to grow to 50 per cent the size of its South African operations Currently 91 per cent of Massmartrsquos revenue is earned in South Africa

Crime dents profitsPattison says the recession has sparked an increase in crime at its operations marked by an uptick in fraud store robberies and shrinkage which has also negatively affected profits

ldquoThe recession has emboldened criminals Not only has crime escalated but we have also seen a pattern in the type of crime that is hitting our stores It is not your average Joe Block on the streets

who is stealing from us but hardened well orchestrated criminalsrdquo

ldquoDespite the economic downturn Game stores are continuing to grow not only in store numbers but also in profitabilityrdquo Pattison points out ldquoOur Game shops are doing well both in South Africa and outside the country

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of an application by the Furniture Traders Association (FTA) and eleven other respondents including the ldquobig fourrdquo banks that debt review applications require a formal hearing and argument in a magistratersquos court

The ruling comes after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) brought an

application before the court to resolve continued uncertainty over how debt review requests are brought before the Magistratersquos Courts The NCR argued that applications to restructure repayment obligations for an over-indebted person should be a cheaper and simpler admini-strative process than going to court

In his judgment Judge Du Plessis ruled that the debt review process requires certainty and should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules applicable to formal application procedures

The court also ruled that penalties and interest accrued by a person defaulting on debt could not exceed the amount owing FTA executive director Dick Behrens says that this ruling has provided much-need clarity for credit providers specifically those in the retail industry

ldquoIn the past a consumer who owed R5 000 for example ended up paying

R35 000 because of interest and other extra charges The new ruling effectively caps other charges at the original R5 000rdquo

Eric Levenstein an attorney for the four big banks believes all credit providers will welcome the judgment He agrees that the process specified by Judge Du Plessis ndash that applications should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules ndash is technical but says applicants will now have ensure they cross all the Ts and dot all the Is

ldquoI think credit providers have started to realise itrsquos not in their interest to challenge debt counselling applications on the strength of technicalitiesrdquo says NCRrsquos senior manager for Education and Strategy Peter Setou

The ruling will give the legal process a kick start and strengthen efforts to eliminate the backlog which will mean less finger pointing from credit providers

Dick Behrens ndash retail credit providers now have clarity

court provides clarity on debt review process

Grant Pattison ndash satisfied with results

Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish

Newsline

11Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 7: HGR - September 2009

on reaching an astonishing 100 years We congratulate the management and staff on this

massive milestone and look forward to helping them achieve another 100 years of success and growth

Ghoors Interiors stocks an exclusive selection of beautifully crafted imported furniture that appeals to discerning buyers who understand

style and quality

GHOORS INTERIORS bull 36 Western Boulevard City West Johannesburg South AfricaTel 011 492 2064 bull 011 834 2540 bull Fax 011 833 4649 bull E-mail ghoorsinttelkomsanet bull smcgworldonlinecoza

GHOORSINTERIORS

salutes

a complete image of a distinctive lifestyle to which our customers can relate and replicate in their own homesrdquo

Customer service remains a major focus point at GampR as management strives to continue improving service levels to meet ever-increasing consumer demands and expectations

ldquoWe have a dedicated management team that is committed and results-driven while our staff are passionate about ensuring that GampR remains a premium brand by providing the best service availablerdquo says Iori

Despite being part of the larger furniture retail group Ellerine Holdings Limited Iori says the GampR brand continues to maintain and improve on the exclusive identity it has established over the last 100 years

ldquoOur focus on differentiation through product design quality and service together with a progressive marketing strategy has enabled us to avoid overlapping strategies within the merged group

ldquoAdditionally a consistent internal and external communication strategy on the brand essence together with supplier relationships and their understanding of the brand is crucial to retaining the identityrsquos uniqueness

ldquoWe realise and appreciate that there are many people out there looking for something different for their homes and we take pride in being able to offer styles of furniture that are unique in design and exclusive to usrdquo

Turn key store developmentDesign

Project managementShopfi tting

Drywall partitioningCeilings

Display amp exhibition standsPainting specialists

Cabinet makingInterior amp exterior signage

amp DESIGNERS92 Snapper RdWadeville Ext 2Germiston 1401

TEL (011) 827-0626FAX (011) 827-0661E-Mail ishraaqshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza devonshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza

The corporate identity may have changed but Geen amp Richardsrsquo distinctive quality and excellent customer service remain the same

page 4 | Geen amp RichARds

Newsline Geen amp Richards

RIEGUT MARKETINGwwwriegutcom

SHOWROOM FACTORYCorner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg

P O Box 39338 Bramley 2018Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 bull 0861 RIEGUT (743488)

Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 bull E-mail salesriegutcomMR

Riegut Marketing congratulates Geen amp Richards on 100 years of unparalleled leadership and success in furniture retailing in South Africa

Riegut Marketing are honoured and privileged for having been granted the opportunity to expose and market our niche products through your chain

A partnership of creating a new dimension in furniture design and innovation

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

2009 20092008

2005 20072006

Riegut Marketing boasts an unmatched and most consistent performance in providing the best sellers in Geen amp Richards year after year after hellip

and

Therersquos a new man at the helm of Geen amp Richards but hersquos no newcomer to furniture retail or the Ellerines group HGR questioned managing executive Andre Schoultz about his plans for the store

What business and retail expertise do you bring to GampRI have been in the furniture retail industry for more than 15 years during which time I have been involved at all levels of management learning a great deal from my subordinates colleagus and superiors I have been part of Ellerine Holdingsrsquo executive team for the last six years

How would you describe your management and leadership styleI believe as a leader I have an understanding of myself and

Andre schoultz

Andre Schoultz ndash finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship

Newsline Geen amp Richards

my strengths and limitations This together with a belief that almost anything is achievable through people drives my team dynamics As a leader I believe in challenging the ldquonowrdquo to create and build a better future I am committed to the ongoing development of my teamrsquos abilities and talents and persuading staff to go beyond the call of duty by obtaining their buy-in to the company strategy Encouraging staff to achieve their goals is best done by finding innovative ways to create excitement and positive energy as it is said ldquoleadership never happens in isolationrdquo

What if any new strategies will you be implementing as managing executiveThere are a set number of new strategies that the executive and management teams will implement Increasing our store base is definitely one of them as we are continuously looking for new opportunities Building on current strategies in respect of human capital merchandise and marketing will remain a high priority Our customer value proposition will focus on personalised distinctive service and style Specific focus on implementation is key for the team

How do you rate GampRrsquos performance in the current recessionary climateLike many retailers GampR has been affected by the recessionary climate The brand has preformed acceptably given the current trading environment and will continue to focus on its strategy of growing the business

What if anything can furniture retailers learn from this recessionPerhaps the greatest competitive challenge companies face is adjusting to and even embracing continuous change Constant change means we must create a healthy discomfort with the status quo and an ability to detect emerging trends quicker than the competition The recessionary climate has also shown us that we are capable of influencing events and finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship on the cost side

How do you intend improving awareness of the GampR brand and increasing market shareConsistency will be key in our marketing this year ensuring that our current and paid-up customers are exposed to our marketing offers on a regular basis Database direct marketing will be a major focus and we have identified a particular market segment to which we will be directing targeted marketing to build awareness and increase market share These prospective customers will be reached through niche publications We will continue with our print and catalogue distribution strategies as the majority of our consumers are still triggered by a visual range representation

What sets GampR apart from its competitorsDistinctive styling and exclusivity is the cornerstone of product selection at GampR Passionate sales personnel who are more pedantic about quality than our customers raise the benchmark on finding quality imported products that are not available from our competitors Highly impressive store displays create an environment that makes it easy for customers to visualise the product in their own homes

What can GampR customers look forward to in the coming yearA larger selection of contemporary furniture and lounge that caters for the smaller home and a fresh approach to making accessory selections and occasional and accent pieces with the same attention to detail and quality that GampR is renowned for The rollout of our new store concept will be extended to more stores and judging from the response we have received from our customers so far they enjoying a world-class shopping experience unmatched in our competitive environment

Congratulations to Geen amp Richards on 100 years in business

DIRECT MARKETINGASSOCIATION OF SA

TEL (031) 569 1017 bull FACSIMILE (031) 569 1086E-MAIL carolinevibrantdirectcoza

wwwvibrantdirectcozaUNIT 1 30 MORELAND DRIVE REDHILL INDUSTRIAL PARK

PO BOX 201800 DURBAN NORTH 4016

Direct To Home Distribution Impact Marketing and Promotions

Andre schoultz

Newsline Geen amp Richards

9Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lewis Group has partnered with IT Naledi to improve its game in service provider relationships IT Naledi is to service the grouprsquos 560 branches nationally to boost staff proficiency and meet stringent timetables

Lewis Bellville store manager Edroy Lewis says he welcomes a system that will enable him to work faster IT Naledi dispatches one multiskilled technician to solve myriad technical problems

The partnership will also enable the furniture retailer to better manage its overheads

ldquoThere are no hidden costs in the monthly invoicerdquo says Lewis information technology manager Gareth Hawkey

Purveyors of luxury decor and design will experience pure shopping bliss with the launch of the new Wunders showroom in De Waterkant

Established in 1983 the family-owned business which produces and manufac-tures only the finest quality upholstered furniture in South Africa will complement its new decor emporium with premium internationally sourced contemporary accessories

Emulating the iconic image of summer in the Riviera through the use of fresh vibrant turquoise earthy tones in clean lines and varying natural textures the new Wunders concept store will be refreshed seasonally to provide customers with cur-rent trends and inspiring designer pieces The 200 square metres of exhibition space will form the backdrop of its seasonal showcase of new furniture collections

All things Wunder‑ful launches in Cape Town in November

Wunders produces fine-quality upholstered furniture

New IT partner to improve Lewis

relationships

Buying group Furnex has been granted a Section 311 of the Companies Act allowing it to offer a reduced compromise with its creditors of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation

This follows Furnexrsquos sudden announcement in June that it was ceasing to trade The ldquoannouncementrdquo took the form of a letter emailed to suppliers and members and under the subject line ldquoFurnex Restructurerdquo stated that discussions were underway with ldquovarious interested parties regarding taking over the business of Furnexrdquo The move caught most suppliers and members by surprise to say the least and left many retailers unable to trade

Ascot Bedding and Furniture manag-ing director Des Dussing says he received a call from someone in the Bravo Group warning him that Furnex was having ldquocom-puter problemsrdquo

ldquoWe were in the middle of a promotion at the time and couldnrsquot understand why we were unable to process payments I immediately phoned Furnex but no one would give me a straight answer Then the letter arrivedrdquo

Dussing says he is disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which the matter was handled ldquoI have had a long relationship with Furnex and feel they havenrsquot played the game fairlyrdquo

Dussing was able to open direct ac-counts fairly quickly with larger suppli-ers and was soon conducting business as usual

Appliances for U managing director Danny Daniels was not so lucky He says he made a mistake by committing to one buying group ndash Furnex ndash only ldquoWe had no inkling that the company was in trouble In fact we received a visit from one of the Furnex directors just before the closure notice was sent who said he was happy with our figures He didnrsquot say a word about the company being in trouble or that closure was imminentrdquo

Daniels says he was unable to make alternative arrangements with his companyrsquos creditors who are unwilling to do cash deals or open a direct account ldquoWe have been struggling to trade and losing rebates as a resultrdquo

He strongly advises other retailers not to be a member of one buying group only ldquoSome suppliers have been helpful but our

bottom line has been severely affectedrdquoHGR has been in constant contact

with Furnex managing director Andy Simaan who promised to provide an official statement once everything had been finalised

ldquoI am still trying to save the companyrdquo he said during one of numerous phone calls and to this end had applied to the high court for a Section 311 of the Companies Act which essentially is a scheme of compromise between a company and its creditors where the creditors are asked to accept a reduced compromise of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation The court then calls a meeting of creditors to explain the scheme to them and to put the scheme to their vote Should the compromise be approved by the creditors and sanctioned by the court the winding-up order will be set aside and the company reinstated

The order was granted on 10 September Despite repeated promises by Simaan to provide answers to HGRrsquos written list of questions at the time of going to print he had still not responded

Final countdown for Furnex

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200910

Massmart remains optimistic about growth prospects in South Africa and other African countries despite posting posted a 46 per cent decline in headline earnings for the year to June

Comparable sales growth for the com-pany was also lower from 119 per cent in the first half to 45 per cent in the second but operating profit grew in both halves rising 51 per cent to R2 billion before for-eign exchange movements Total sales rose 107 per cent to R43 billion while compa-rable store sales increased by 82 per cent

CEO Grant Pattison is ldquosatisfiedrdquo with the companyrsquos performance considering that this is the first recession South Africa has had to go through in 17 years ldquoWe are weathering the economic storm with our strategic operational and long-term growth prospects intact and we have gained market share in all our divisions

ldquoWe are responding to the short- term environment challenges but remain con-fident in the underlying strengths of the

group and are excited about the medium to long-term potential in our markets both in South Africa and the rest of Africardquo

The company plans to open ten stores in Africa in six to seven years at a cost of about R100 million each The group has about 20 stores in 13 African countries but these operations have the potential to grow to 50 per cent the size of its South African operations Currently 91 per cent of Massmartrsquos revenue is earned in South Africa

Crime dents profitsPattison says the recession has sparked an increase in crime at its operations marked by an uptick in fraud store robberies and shrinkage which has also negatively affected profits

ldquoThe recession has emboldened criminals Not only has crime escalated but we have also seen a pattern in the type of crime that is hitting our stores It is not your average Joe Block on the streets

who is stealing from us but hardened well orchestrated criminalsrdquo

ldquoDespite the economic downturn Game stores are continuing to grow not only in store numbers but also in profitabilityrdquo Pattison points out ldquoOur Game shops are doing well both in South Africa and outside the country

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of an application by the Furniture Traders Association (FTA) and eleven other respondents including the ldquobig fourrdquo banks that debt review applications require a formal hearing and argument in a magistratersquos court

The ruling comes after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) brought an

application before the court to resolve continued uncertainty over how debt review requests are brought before the Magistratersquos Courts The NCR argued that applications to restructure repayment obligations for an over-indebted person should be a cheaper and simpler admini-strative process than going to court

In his judgment Judge Du Plessis ruled that the debt review process requires certainty and should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules applicable to formal application procedures

The court also ruled that penalties and interest accrued by a person defaulting on debt could not exceed the amount owing FTA executive director Dick Behrens says that this ruling has provided much-need clarity for credit providers specifically those in the retail industry

ldquoIn the past a consumer who owed R5 000 for example ended up paying

R35 000 because of interest and other extra charges The new ruling effectively caps other charges at the original R5 000rdquo

Eric Levenstein an attorney for the four big banks believes all credit providers will welcome the judgment He agrees that the process specified by Judge Du Plessis ndash that applications should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules ndash is technical but says applicants will now have ensure they cross all the Ts and dot all the Is

ldquoI think credit providers have started to realise itrsquos not in their interest to challenge debt counselling applications on the strength of technicalitiesrdquo says NCRrsquos senior manager for Education and Strategy Peter Setou

The ruling will give the legal process a kick start and strengthen efforts to eliminate the backlog which will mean less finger pointing from credit providers

Dick Behrens ndash retail credit providers now have clarity

court provides clarity on debt review process

Grant Pattison ndash satisfied with results

Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish

Newsline

11Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 8: HGR - September 2009

a complete image of a distinctive lifestyle to which our customers can relate and replicate in their own homesrdquo

Customer service remains a major focus point at GampR as management strives to continue improving service levels to meet ever-increasing consumer demands and expectations

ldquoWe have a dedicated management team that is committed and results-driven while our staff are passionate about ensuring that GampR remains a premium brand by providing the best service availablerdquo says Iori

Despite being part of the larger furniture retail group Ellerine Holdings Limited Iori says the GampR brand continues to maintain and improve on the exclusive identity it has established over the last 100 years

ldquoOur focus on differentiation through product design quality and service together with a progressive marketing strategy has enabled us to avoid overlapping strategies within the merged group

ldquoAdditionally a consistent internal and external communication strategy on the brand essence together with supplier relationships and their understanding of the brand is crucial to retaining the identityrsquos uniqueness

ldquoWe realise and appreciate that there are many people out there looking for something different for their homes and we take pride in being able to offer styles of furniture that are unique in design and exclusive to usrdquo

Turn key store developmentDesign

Project managementShopfi tting

Drywall partitioningCeilings

Display amp exhibition standsPainting specialists

Cabinet makingInterior amp exterior signage

amp DESIGNERS92 Snapper RdWadeville Ext 2Germiston 1401

TEL (011) 827-0626FAX (011) 827-0661E-Mail ishraaqshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza devonshopfi ttersanddesignerscoza

The corporate identity may have changed but Geen amp Richardsrsquo distinctive quality and excellent customer service remain the same

page 4 | Geen amp RichARds

Newsline Geen amp Richards

RIEGUT MARKETINGwwwriegutcom

SHOWROOM FACTORYCorner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg

P O Box 39338 Bramley 2018Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 bull 0861 RIEGUT (743488)

Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 bull E-mail salesriegutcomMR

Riegut Marketing congratulates Geen amp Richards on 100 years of unparalleled leadership and success in furniture retailing in South Africa

Riegut Marketing are honoured and privileged for having been granted the opportunity to expose and market our niche products through your chain

A partnership of creating a new dimension in furniture design and innovation

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

2009 20092008

2005 20072006

Riegut Marketing boasts an unmatched and most consistent performance in providing the best sellers in Geen amp Richards year after year after hellip

and

Therersquos a new man at the helm of Geen amp Richards but hersquos no newcomer to furniture retail or the Ellerines group HGR questioned managing executive Andre Schoultz about his plans for the store

What business and retail expertise do you bring to GampRI have been in the furniture retail industry for more than 15 years during which time I have been involved at all levels of management learning a great deal from my subordinates colleagus and superiors I have been part of Ellerine Holdingsrsquo executive team for the last six years

How would you describe your management and leadership styleI believe as a leader I have an understanding of myself and

Andre schoultz

Andre Schoultz ndash finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship

Newsline Geen amp Richards

my strengths and limitations This together with a belief that almost anything is achievable through people drives my team dynamics As a leader I believe in challenging the ldquonowrdquo to create and build a better future I am committed to the ongoing development of my teamrsquos abilities and talents and persuading staff to go beyond the call of duty by obtaining their buy-in to the company strategy Encouraging staff to achieve their goals is best done by finding innovative ways to create excitement and positive energy as it is said ldquoleadership never happens in isolationrdquo

What if any new strategies will you be implementing as managing executiveThere are a set number of new strategies that the executive and management teams will implement Increasing our store base is definitely one of them as we are continuously looking for new opportunities Building on current strategies in respect of human capital merchandise and marketing will remain a high priority Our customer value proposition will focus on personalised distinctive service and style Specific focus on implementation is key for the team

How do you rate GampRrsquos performance in the current recessionary climateLike many retailers GampR has been affected by the recessionary climate The brand has preformed acceptably given the current trading environment and will continue to focus on its strategy of growing the business

What if anything can furniture retailers learn from this recessionPerhaps the greatest competitive challenge companies face is adjusting to and even embracing continuous change Constant change means we must create a healthy discomfort with the status quo and an ability to detect emerging trends quicker than the competition The recessionary climate has also shown us that we are capable of influencing events and finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship on the cost side

How do you intend improving awareness of the GampR brand and increasing market shareConsistency will be key in our marketing this year ensuring that our current and paid-up customers are exposed to our marketing offers on a regular basis Database direct marketing will be a major focus and we have identified a particular market segment to which we will be directing targeted marketing to build awareness and increase market share These prospective customers will be reached through niche publications We will continue with our print and catalogue distribution strategies as the majority of our consumers are still triggered by a visual range representation

What sets GampR apart from its competitorsDistinctive styling and exclusivity is the cornerstone of product selection at GampR Passionate sales personnel who are more pedantic about quality than our customers raise the benchmark on finding quality imported products that are not available from our competitors Highly impressive store displays create an environment that makes it easy for customers to visualise the product in their own homes

What can GampR customers look forward to in the coming yearA larger selection of contemporary furniture and lounge that caters for the smaller home and a fresh approach to making accessory selections and occasional and accent pieces with the same attention to detail and quality that GampR is renowned for The rollout of our new store concept will be extended to more stores and judging from the response we have received from our customers so far they enjoying a world-class shopping experience unmatched in our competitive environment

Congratulations to Geen amp Richards on 100 years in business

DIRECT MARKETINGASSOCIATION OF SA

TEL (031) 569 1017 bull FACSIMILE (031) 569 1086E-MAIL carolinevibrantdirectcoza

wwwvibrantdirectcozaUNIT 1 30 MORELAND DRIVE REDHILL INDUSTRIAL PARK

PO BOX 201800 DURBAN NORTH 4016

Direct To Home Distribution Impact Marketing and Promotions

Andre schoultz

Newsline Geen amp Richards

9Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lewis Group has partnered with IT Naledi to improve its game in service provider relationships IT Naledi is to service the grouprsquos 560 branches nationally to boost staff proficiency and meet stringent timetables

Lewis Bellville store manager Edroy Lewis says he welcomes a system that will enable him to work faster IT Naledi dispatches one multiskilled technician to solve myriad technical problems

The partnership will also enable the furniture retailer to better manage its overheads

ldquoThere are no hidden costs in the monthly invoicerdquo says Lewis information technology manager Gareth Hawkey

Purveyors of luxury decor and design will experience pure shopping bliss with the launch of the new Wunders showroom in De Waterkant

Established in 1983 the family-owned business which produces and manufac-tures only the finest quality upholstered furniture in South Africa will complement its new decor emporium with premium internationally sourced contemporary accessories

Emulating the iconic image of summer in the Riviera through the use of fresh vibrant turquoise earthy tones in clean lines and varying natural textures the new Wunders concept store will be refreshed seasonally to provide customers with cur-rent trends and inspiring designer pieces The 200 square metres of exhibition space will form the backdrop of its seasonal showcase of new furniture collections

All things Wunder‑ful launches in Cape Town in November

Wunders produces fine-quality upholstered furniture

New IT partner to improve Lewis

relationships

Buying group Furnex has been granted a Section 311 of the Companies Act allowing it to offer a reduced compromise with its creditors of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation

This follows Furnexrsquos sudden announcement in June that it was ceasing to trade The ldquoannouncementrdquo took the form of a letter emailed to suppliers and members and under the subject line ldquoFurnex Restructurerdquo stated that discussions were underway with ldquovarious interested parties regarding taking over the business of Furnexrdquo The move caught most suppliers and members by surprise to say the least and left many retailers unable to trade

Ascot Bedding and Furniture manag-ing director Des Dussing says he received a call from someone in the Bravo Group warning him that Furnex was having ldquocom-puter problemsrdquo

ldquoWe were in the middle of a promotion at the time and couldnrsquot understand why we were unable to process payments I immediately phoned Furnex but no one would give me a straight answer Then the letter arrivedrdquo

Dussing says he is disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which the matter was handled ldquoI have had a long relationship with Furnex and feel they havenrsquot played the game fairlyrdquo

Dussing was able to open direct ac-counts fairly quickly with larger suppli-ers and was soon conducting business as usual

Appliances for U managing director Danny Daniels was not so lucky He says he made a mistake by committing to one buying group ndash Furnex ndash only ldquoWe had no inkling that the company was in trouble In fact we received a visit from one of the Furnex directors just before the closure notice was sent who said he was happy with our figures He didnrsquot say a word about the company being in trouble or that closure was imminentrdquo

Daniels says he was unable to make alternative arrangements with his companyrsquos creditors who are unwilling to do cash deals or open a direct account ldquoWe have been struggling to trade and losing rebates as a resultrdquo

He strongly advises other retailers not to be a member of one buying group only ldquoSome suppliers have been helpful but our

bottom line has been severely affectedrdquoHGR has been in constant contact

with Furnex managing director Andy Simaan who promised to provide an official statement once everything had been finalised

ldquoI am still trying to save the companyrdquo he said during one of numerous phone calls and to this end had applied to the high court for a Section 311 of the Companies Act which essentially is a scheme of compromise between a company and its creditors where the creditors are asked to accept a reduced compromise of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation The court then calls a meeting of creditors to explain the scheme to them and to put the scheme to their vote Should the compromise be approved by the creditors and sanctioned by the court the winding-up order will be set aside and the company reinstated

The order was granted on 10 September Despite repeated promises by Simaan to provide answers to HGRrsquos written list of questions at the time of going to print he had still not responded

Final countdown for Furnex

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200910

Massmart remains optimistic about growth prospects in South Africa and other African countries despite posting posted a 46 per cent decline in headline earnings for the year to June

Comparable sales growth for the com-pany was also lower from 119 per cent in the first half to 45 per cent in the second but operating profit grew in both halves rising 51 per cent to R2 billion before for-eign exchange movements Total sales rose 107 per cent to R43 billion while compa-rable store sales increased by 82 per cent

CEO Grant Pattison is ldquosatisfiedrdquo with the companyrsquos performance considering that this is the first recession South Africa has had to go through in 17 years ldquoWe are weathering the economic storm with our strategic operational and long-term growth prospects intact and we have gained market share in all our divisions

ldquoWe are responding to the short- term environment challenges but remain con-fident in the underlying strengths of the

group and are excited about the medium to long-term potential in our markets both in South Africa and the rest of Africardquo

The company plans to open ten stores in Africa in six to seven years at a cost of about R100 million each The group has about 20 stores in 13 African countries but these operations have the potential to grow to 50 per cent the size of its South African operations Currently 91 per cent of Massmartrsquos revenue is earned in South Africa

Crime dents profitsPattison says the recession has sparked an increase in crime at its operations marked by an uptick in fraud store robberies and shrinkage which has also negatively affected profits

ldquoThe recession has emboldened criminals Not only has crime escalated but we have also seen a pattern in the type of crime that is hitting our stores It is not your average Joe Block on the streets

who is stealing from us but hardened well orchestrated criminalsrdquo

ldquoDespite the economic downturn Game stores are continuing to grow not only in store numbers but also in profitabilityrdquo Pattison points out ldquoOur Game shops are doing well both in South Africa and outside the country

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of an application by the Furniture Traders Association (FTA) and eleven other respondents including the ldquobig fourrdquo banks that debt review applications require a formal hearing and argument in a magistratersquos court

The ruling comes after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) brought an

application before the court to resolve continued uncertainty over how debt review requests are brought before the Magistratersquos Courts The NCR argued that applications to restructure repayment obligations for an over-indebted person should be a cheaper and simpler admini-strative process than going to court

In his judgment Judge Du Plessis ruled that the debt review process requires certainty and should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules applicable to formal application procedures

The court also ruled that penalties and interest accrued by a person defaulting on debt could not exceed the amount owing FTA executive director Dick Behrens says that this ruling has provided much-need clarity for credit providers specifically those in the retail industry

ldquoIn the past a consumer who owed R5 000 for example ended up paying

R35 000 because of interest and other extra charges The new ruling effectively caps other charges at the original R5 000rdquo

Eric Levenstein an attorney for the four big banks believes all credit providers will welcome the judgment He agrees that the process specified by Judge Du Plessis ndash that applications should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules ndash is technical but says applicants will now have ensure they cross all the Ts and dot all the Is

ldquoI think credit providers have started to realise itrsquos not in their interest to challenge debt counselling applications on the strength of technicalitiesrdquo says NCRrsquos senior manager for Education and Strategy Peter Setou

The ruling will give the legal process a kick start and strengthen efforts to eliminate the backlog which will mean less finger pointing from credit providers

Dick Behrens ndash retail credit providers now have clarity

court provides clarity on debt review process

Grant Pattison ndash satisfied with results

Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish

Newsline

11Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 9: HGR - September 2009

RIEGUT MARKETINGwwwriegutcom

SHOWROOM FACTORYCorner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg

P O Box 39338 Bramley 2018Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 bull 0861 RIEGUT (743488)

Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 bull E-mail salesriegutcomMR

Riegut Marketing congratulates Geen amp Richards on 100 years of unparalleled leadership and success in furniture retailing in South Africa

Riegut Marketing are honoured and privileged for having been granted the opportunity to expose and market our niche products through your chain

A partnership of creating a new dimension in furniture design and innovation

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

2009 20092008

2005 20072006

Riegut Marketing boasts an unmatched and most consistent performance in providing the best sellers in Geen amp Richards year after year after hellip

and

Therersquos a new man at the helm of Geen amp Richards but hersquos no newcomer to furniture retail or the Ellerines group HGR questioned managing executive Andre Schoultz about his plans for the store

What business and retail expertise do you bring to GampRI have been in the furniture retail industry for more than 15 years during which time I have been involved at all levels of management learning a great deal from my subordinates colleagus and superiors I have been part of Ellerine Holdingsrsquo executive team for the last six years

How would you describe your management and leadership styleI believe as a leader I have an understanding of myself and

Andre schoultz

Andre Schoultz ndash finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship

Newsline Geen amp Richards

my strengths and limitations This together with a belief that almost anything is achievable through people drives my team dynamics As a leader I believe in challenging the ldquonowrdquo to create and build a better future I am committed to the ongoing development of my teamrsquos abilities and talents and persuading staff to go beyond the call of duty by obtaining their buy-in to the company strategy Encouraging staff to achieve their goals is best done by finding innovative ways to create excitement and positive energy as it is said ldquoleadership never happens in isolationrdquo

What if any new strategies will you be implementing as managing executiveThere are a set number of new strategies that the executive and management teams will implement Increasing our store base is definitely one of them as we are continuously looking for new opportunities Building on current strategies in respect of human capital merchandise and marketing will remain a high priority Our customer value proposition will focus on personalised distinctive service and style Specific focus on implementation is key for the team

How do you rate GampRrsquos performance in the current recessionary climateLike many retailers GampR has been affected by the recessionary climate The brand has preformed acceptably given the current trading environment and will continue to focus on its strategy of growing the business

What if anything can furniture retailers learn from this recessionPerhaps the greatest competitive challenge companies face is adjusting to and even embracing continuous change Constant change means we must create a healthy discomfort with the status quo and an ability to detect emerging trends quicker than the competition The recessionary climate has also shown us that we are capable of influencing events and finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship on the cost side

How do you intend improving awareness of the GampR brand and increasing market shareConsistency will be key in our marketing this year ensuring that our current and paid-up customers are exposed to our marketing offers on a regular basis Database direct marketing will be a major focus and we have identified a particular market segment to which we will be directing targeted marketing to build awareness and increase market share These prospective customers will be reached through niche publications We will continue with our print and catalogue distribution strategies as the majority of our consumers are still triggered by a visual range representation

What sets GampR apart from its competitorsDistinctive styling and exclusivity is the cornerstone of product selection at GampR Passionate sales personnel who are more pedantic about quality than our customers raise the benchmark on finding quality imported products that are not available from our competitors Highly impressive store displays create an environment that makes it easy for customers to visualise the product in their own homes

What can GampR customers look forward to in the coming yearA larger selection of contemporary furniture and lounge that caters for the smaller home and a fresh approach to making accessory selections and occasional and accent pieces with the same attention to detail and quality that GampR is renowned for The rollout of our new store concept will be extended to more stores and judging from the response we have received from our customers so far they enjoying a world-class shopping experience unmatched in our competitive environment

Congratulations to Geen amp Richards on 100 years in business

DIRECT MARKETINGASSOCIATION OF SA

TEL (031) 569 1017 bull FACSIMILE (031) 569 1086E-MAIL carolinevibrantdirectcoza

wwwvibrantdirectcozaUNIT 1 30 MORELAND DRIVE REDHILL INDUSTRIAL PARK

PO BOX 201800 DURBAN NORTH 4016

Direct To Home Distribution Impact Marketing and Promotions

Andre schoultz

Newsline Geen amp Richards

9Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lewis Group has partnered with IT Naledi to improve its game in service provider relationships IT Naledi is to service the grouprsquos 560 branches nationally to boost staff proficiency and meet stringent timetables

Lewis Bellville store manager Edroy Lewis says he welcomes a system that will enable him to work faster IT Naledi dispatches one multiskilled technician to solve myriad technical problems

The partnership will also enable the furniture retailer to better manage its overheads

ldquoThere are no hidden costs in the monthly invoicerdquo says Lewis information technology manager Gareth Hawkey

Purveyors of luxury decor and design will experience pure shopping bliss with the launch of the new Wunders showroom in De Waterkant

Established in 1983 the family-owned business which produces and manufac-tures only the finest quality upholstered furniture in South Africa will complement its new decor emporium with premium internationally sourced contemporary accessories

Emulating the iconic image of summer in the Riviera through the use of fresh vibrant turquoise earthy tones in clean lines and varying natural textures the new Wunders concept store will be refreshed seasonally to provide customers with cur-rent trends and inspiring designer pieces The 200 square metres of exhibition space will form the backdrop of its seasonal showcase of new furniture collections

All things Wunder‑ful launches in Cape Town in November

Wunders produces fine-quality upholstered furniture

New IT partner to improve Lewis

relationships

Buying group Furnex has been granted a Section 311 of the Companies Act allowing it to offer a reduced compromise with its creditors of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation

This follows Furnexrsquos sudden announcement in June that it was ceasing to trade The ldquoannouncementrdquo took the form of a letter emailed to suppliers and members and under the subject line ldquoFurnex Restructurerdquo stated that discussions were underway with ldquovarious interested parties regarding taking over the business of Furnexrdquo The move caught most suppliers and members by surprise to say the least and left many retailers unable to trade

Ascot Bedding and Furniture manag-ing director Des Dussing says he received a call from someone in the Bravo Group warning him that Furnex was having ldquocom-puter problemsrdquo

ldquoWe were in the middle of a promotion at the time and couldnrsquot understand why we were unable to process payments I immediately phoned Furnex but no one would give me a straight answer Then the letter arrivedrdquo

Dussing says he is disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which the matter was handled ldquoI have had a long relationship with Furnex and feel they havenrsquot played the game fairlyrdquo

Dussing was able to open direct ac-counts fairly quickly with larger suppli-ers and was soon conducting business as usual

Appliances for U managing director Danny Daniels was not so lucky He says he made a mistake by committing to one buying group ndash Furnex ndash only ldquoWe had no inkling that the company was in trouble In fact we received a visit from one of the Furnex directors just before the closure notice was sent who said he was happy with our figures He didnrsquot say a word about the company being in trouble or that closure was imminentrdquo

Daniels says he was unable to make alternative arrangements with his companyrsquos creditors who are unwilling to do cash deals or open a direct account ldquoWe have been struggling to trade and losing rebates as a resultrdquo

He strongly advises other retailers not to be a member of one buying group only ldquoSome suppliers have been helpful but our

bottom line has been severely affectedrdquoHGR has been in constant contact

with Furnex managing director Andy Simaan who promised to provide an official statement once everything had been finalised

ldquoI am still trying to save the companyrdquo he said during one of numerous phone calls and to this end had applied to the high court for a Section 311 of the Companies Act which essentially is a scheme of compromise between a company and its creditors where the creditors are asked to accept a reduced compromise of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation The court then calls a meeting of creditors to explain the scheme to them and to put the scheme to their vote Should the compromise be approved by the creditors and sanctioned by the court the winding-up order will be set aside and the company reinstated

The order was granted on 10 September Despite repeated promises by Simaan to provide answers to HGRrsquos written list of questions at the time of going to print he had still not responded

Final countdown for Furnex

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200910

Massmart remains optimistic about growth prospects in South Africa and other African countries despite posting posted a 46 per cent decline in headline earnings for the year to June

Comparable sales growth for the com-pany was also lower from 119 per cent in the first half to 45 per cent in the second but operating profit grew in both halves rising 51 per cent to R2 billion before for-eign exchange movements Total sales rose 107 per cent to R43 billion while compa-rable store sales increased by 82 per cent

CEO Grant Pattison is ldquosatisfiedrdquo with the companyrsquos performance considering that this is the first recession South Africa has had to go through in 17 years ldquoWe are weathering the economic storm with our strategic operational and long-term growth prospects intact and we have gained market share in all our divisions

ldquoWe are responding to the short- term environment challenges but remain con-fident in the underlying strengths of the

group and are excited about the medium to long-term potential in our markets both in South Africa and the rest of Africardquo

The company plans to open ten stores in Africa in six to seven years at a cost of about R100 million each The group has about 20 stores in 13 African countries but these operations have the potential to grow to 50 per cent the size of its South African operations Currently 91 per cent of Massmartrsquos revenue is earned in South Africa

Crime dents profitsPattison says the recession has sparked an increase in crime at its operations marked by an uptick in fraud store robberies and shrinkage which has also negatively affected profits

ldquoThe recession has emboldened criminals Not only has crime escalated but we have also seen a pattern in the type of crime that is hitting our stores It is not your average Joe Block on the streets

who is stealing from us but hardened well orchestrated criminalsrdquo

ldquoDespite the economic downturn Game stores are continuing to grow not only in store numbers but also in profitabilityrdquo Pattison points out ldquoOur Game shops are doing well both in South Africa and outside the country

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of an application by the Furniture Traders Association (FTA) and eleven other respondents including the ldquobig fourrdquo banks that debt review applications require a formal hearing and argument in a magistratersquos court

The ruling comes after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) brought an

application before the court to resolve continued uncertainty over how debt review requests are brought before the Magistratersquos Courts The NCR argued that applications to restructure repayment obligations for an over-indebted person should be a cheaper and simpler admini-strative process than going to court

In his judgment Judge Du Plessis ruled that the debt review process requires certainty and should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules applicable to formal application procedures

The court also ruled that penalties and interest accrued by a person defaulting on debt could not exceed the amount owing FTA executive director Dick Behrens says that this ruling has provided much-need clarity for credit providers specifically those in the retail industry

ldquoIn the past a consumer who owed R5 000 for example ended up paying

R35 000 because of interest and other extra charges The new ruling effectively caps other charges at the original R5 000rdquo

Eric Levenstein an attorney for the four big banks believes all credit providers will welcome the judgment He agrees that the process specified by Judge Du Plessis ndash that applications should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules ndash is technical but says applicants will now have ensure they cross all the Ts and dot all the Is

ldquoI think credit providers have started to realise itrsquos not in their interest to challenge debt counselling applications on the strength of technicalitiesrdquo says NCRrsquos senior manager for Education and Strategy Peter Setou

The ruling will give the legal process a kick start and strengthen efforts to eliminate the backlog which will mean less finger pointing from credit providers

Dick Behrens ndash retail credit providers now have clarity

court provides clarity on debt review process

Grant Pattison ndash satisfied with results

Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish

Newsline

11Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 10: HGR - September 2009

Therersquos a new man at the helm of Geen amp Richards but hersquos no newcomer to furniture retail or the Ellerines group HGR questioned managing executive Andre Schoultz about his plans for the store

What business and retail expertise do you bring to GampRI have been in the furniture retail industry for more than 15 years during which time I have been involved at all levels of management learning a great deal from my subordinates colleagus and superiors I have been part of Ellerine Holdingsrsquo executive team for the last six years

How would you describe your management and leadership styleI believe as a leader I have an understanding of myself and

Andre schoultz

Andre Schoultz ndash finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship

Newsline Geen amp Richards

my strengths and limitations This together with a belief that almost anything is achievable through people drives my team dynamics As a leader I believe in challenging the ldquonowrdquo to create and build a better future I am committed to the ongoing development of my teamrsquos abilities and talents and persuading staff to go beyond the call of duty by obtaining their buy-in to the company strategy Encouraging staff to achieve their goals is best done by finding innovative ways to create excitement and positive energy as it is said ldquoleadership never happens in isolationrdquo

What if any new strategies will you be implementing as managing executiveThere are a set number of new strategies that the executive and management teams will implement Increasing our store base is definitely one of them as we are continuously looking for new opportunities Building on current strategies in respect of human capital merchandise and marketing will remain a high priority Our customer value proposition will focus on personalised distinctive service and style Specific focus on implementation is key for the team

How do you rate GampRrsquos performance in the current recessionary climateLike many retailers GampR has been affected by the recessionary climate The brand has preformed acceptably given the current trading environment and will continue to focus on its strategy of growing the business

What if anything can furniture retailers learn from this recessionPerhaps the greatest competitive challenge companies face is adjusting to and even embracing continuous change Constant change means we must create a healthy discomfort with the status quo and an ability to detect emerging trends quicker than the competition The recessionary climate has also shown us that we are capable of influencing events and finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship on the cost side

How do you intend improving awareness of the GampR brand and increasing market shareConsistency will be key in our marketing this year ensuring that our current and paid-up customers are exposed to our marketing offers on a regular basis Database direct marketing will be a major focus and we have identified a particular market segment to which we will be directing targeted marketing to build awareness and increase market share These prospective customers will be reached through niche publications We will continue with our print and catalogue distribution strategies as the majority of our consumers are still triggered by a visual range representation

What sets GampR apart from its competitorsDistinctive styling and exclusivity is the cornerstone of product selection at GampR Passionate sales personnel who are more pedantic about quality than our customers raise the benchmark on finding quality imported products that are not available from our competitors Highly impressive store displays create an environment that makes it easy for customers to visualise the product in their own homes

What can GampR customers look forward to in the coming yearA larger selection of contemporary furniture and lounge that caters for the smaller home and a fresh approach to making accessory selections and occasional and accent pieces with the same attention to detail and quality that GampR is renowned for The rollout of our new store concept will be extended to more stores and judging from the response we have received from our customers so far they enjoying a world-class shopping experience unmatched in our competitive environment

Congratulations to Geen amp Richards on 100 years in business

DIRECT MARKETINGASSOCIATION OF SA

TEL (031) 569 1017 bull FACSIMILE (031) 569 1086E-MAIL carolinevibrantdirectcoza

wwwvibrantdirectcozaUNIT 1 30 MORELAND DRIVE REDHILL INDUSTRIAL PARK

PO BOX 201800 DURBAN NORTH 4016

Direct To Home Distribution Impact Marketing and Promotions

Andre schoultz

Newsline Geen amp Richards

9Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lewis Group has partnered with IT Naledi to improve its game in service provider relationships IT Naledi is to service the grouprsquos 560 branches nationally to boost staff proficiency and meet stringent timetables

Lewis Bellville store manager Edroy Lewis says he welcomes a system that will enable him to work faster IT Naledi dispatches one multiskilled technician to solve myriad technical problems

The partnership will also enable the furniture retailer to better manage its overheads

ldquoThere are no hidden costs in the monthly invoicerdquo says Lewis information technology manager Gareth Hawkey

Purveyors of luxury decor and design will experience pure shopping bliss with the launch of the new Wunders showroom in De Waterkant

Established in 1983 the family-owned business which produces and manufac-tures only the finest quality upholstered furniture in South Africa will complement its new decor emporium with premium internationally sourced contemporary accessories

Emulating the iconic image of summer in the Riviera through the use of fresh vibrant turquoise earthy tones in clean lines and varying natural textures the new Wunders concept store will be refreshed seasonally to provide customers with cur-rent trends and inspiring designer pieces The 200 square metres of exhibition space will form the backdrop of its seasonal showcase of new furniture collections

All things Wunder‑ful launches in Cape Town in November

Wunders produces fine-quality upholstered furniture

New IT partner to improve Lewis

relationships

Buying group Furnex has been granted a Section 311 of the Companies Act allowing it to offer a reduced compromise with its creditors of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation

This follows Furnexrsquos sudden announcement in June that it was ceasing to trade The ldquoannouncementrdquo took the form of a letter emailed to suppliers and members and under the subject line ldquoFurnex Restructurerdquo stated that discussions were underway with ldquovarious interested parties regarding taking over the business of Furnexrdquo The move caught most suppliers and members by surprise to say the least and left many retailers unable to trade

Ascot Bedding and Furniture manag-ing director Des Dussing says he received a call from someone in the Bravo Group warning him that Furnex was having ldquocom-puter problemsrdquo

ldquoWe were in the middle of a promotion at the time and couldnrsquot understand why we were unable to process payments I immediately phoned Furnex but no one would give me a straight answer Then the letter arrivedrdquo

Dussing says he is disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which the matter was handled ldquoI have had a long relationship with Furnex and feel they havenrsquot played the game fairlyrdquo

Dussing was able to open direct ac-counts fairly quickly with larger suppli-ers and was soon conducting business as usual

Appliances for U managing director Danny Daniels was not so lucky He says he made a mistake by committing to one buying group ndash Furnex ndash only ldquoWe had no inkling that the company was in trouble In fact we received a visit from one of the Furnex directors just before the closure notice was sent who said he was happy with our figures He didnrsquot say a word about the company being in trouble or that closure was imminentrdquo

Daniels says he was unable to make alternative arrangements with his companyrsquos creditors who are unwilling to do cash deals or open a direct account ldquoWe have been struggling to trade and losing rebates as a resultrdquo

He strongly advises other retailers not to be a member of one buying group only ldquoSome suppliers have been helpful but our

bottom line has been severely affectedrdquoHGR has been in constant contact

with Furnex managing director Andy Simaan who promised to provide an official statement once everything had been finalised

ldquoI am still trying to save the companyrdquo he said during one of numerous phone calls and to this end had applied to the high court for a Section 311 of the Companies Act which essentially is a scheme of compromise between a company and its creditors where the creditors are asked to accept a reduced compromise of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation The court then calls a meeting of creditors to explain the scheme to them and to put the scheme to their vote Should the compromise be approved by the creditors and sanctioned by the court the winding-up order will be set aside and the company reinstated

The order was granted on 10 September Despite repeated promises by Simaan to provide answers to HGRrsquos written list of questions at the time of going to print he had still not responded

Final countdown for Furnex

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200910

Massmart remains optimistic about growth prospects in South Africa and other African countries despite posting posted a 46 per cent decline in headline earnings for the year to June

Comparable sales growth for the com-pany was also lower from 119 per cent in the first half to 45 per cent in the second but operating profit grew in both halves rising 51 per cent to R2 billion before for-eign exchange movements Total sales rose 107 per cent to R43 billion while compa-rable store sales increased by 82 per cent

CEO Grant Pattison is ldquosatisfiedrdquo with the companyrsquos performance considering that this is the first recession South Africa has had to go through in 17 years ldquoWe are weathering the economic storm with our strategic operational and long-term growth prospects intact and we have gained market share in all our divisions

ldquoWe are responding to the short- term environment challenges but remain con-fident in the underlying strengths of the

group and are excited about the medium to long-term potential in our markets both in South Africa and the rest of Africardquo

The company plans to open ten stores in Africa in six to seven years at a cost of about R100 million each The group has about 20 stores in 13 African countries but these operations have the potential to grow to 50 per cent the size of its South African operations Currently 91 per cent of Massmartrsquos revenue is earned in South Africa

Crime dents profitsPattison says the recession has sparked an increase in crime at its operations marked by an uptick in fraud store robberies and shrinkage which has also negatively affected profits

ldquoThe recession has emboldened criminals Not only has crime escalated but we have also seen a pattern in the type of crime that is hitting our stores It is not your average Joe Block on the streets

who is stealing from us but hardened well orchestrated criminalsrdquo

ldquoDespite the economic downturn Game stores are continuing to grow not only in store numbers but also in profitabilityrdquo Pattison points out ldquoOur Game shops are doing well both in South Africa and outside the country

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of an application by the Furniture Traders Association (FTA) and eleven other respondents including the ldquobig fourrdquo banks that debt review applications require a formal hearing and argument in a magistratersquos court

The ruling comes after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) brought an

application before the court to resolve continued uncertainty over how debt review requests are brought before the Magistratersquos Courts The NCR argued that applications to restructure repayment obligations for an over-indebted person should be a cheaper and simpler admini-strative process than going to court

In his judgment Judge Du Plessis ruled that the debt review process requires certainty and should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules applicable to formal application procedures

The court also ruled that penalties and interest accrued by a person defaulting on debt could not exceed the amount owing FTA executive director Dick Behrens says that this ruling has provided much-need clarity for credit providers specifically those in the retail industry

ldquoIn the past a consumer who owed R5 000 for example ended up paying

R35 000 because of interest and other extra charges The new ruling effectively caps other charges at the original R5 000rdquo

Eric Levenstein an attorney for the four big banks believes all credit providers will welcome the judgment He agrees that the process specified by Judge Du Plessis ndash that applications should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules ndash is technical but says applicants will now have ensure they cross all the Ts and dot all the Is

ldquoI think credit providers have started to realise itrsquos not in their interest to challenge debt counselling applications on the strength of technicalitiesrdquo says NCRrsquos senior manager for Education and Strategy Peter Setou

The ruling will give the legal process a kick start and strengthen efforts to eliminate the backlog which will mean less finger pointing from credit providers

Dick Behrens ndash retail credit providers now have clarity

court provides clarity on debt review process

Grant Pattison ndash satisfied with results

Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish

Newsline

11Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 11: HGR - September 2009

my strengths and limitations This together with a belief that almost anything is achievable through people drives my team dynamics As a leader I believe in challenging the ldquonowrdquo to create and build a better future I am committed to the ongoing development of my teamrsquos abilities and talents and persuading staff to go beyond the call of duty by obtaining their buy-in to the company strategy Encouraging staff to achieve their goals is best done by finding innovative ways to create excitement and positive energy as it is said ldquoleadership never happens in isolationrdquo

What if any new strategies will you be implementing as managing executiveThere are a set number of new strategies that the executive and management teams will implement Increasing our store base is definitely one of them as we are continuously looking for new opportunities Building on current strategies in respect of human capital merchandise and marketing will remain a high priority Our customer value proposition will focus on personalised distinctive service and style Specific focus on implementation is key for the team

How do you rate GampRrsquos performance in the current recessionary climateLike many retailers GampR has been affected by the recessionary climate The brand has preformed acceptably given the current trading environment and will continue to focus on its strategy of growing the business

What if anything can furniture retailers learn from this recessionPerhaps the greatest competitive challenge companies face is adjusting to and even embracing continuous change Constant change means we must create a healthy discomfort with the status quo and an ability to detect emerging trends quicker than the competition The recessionary climate has also shown us that we are capable of influencing events and finding new ways of doing business while running a tight ship on the cost side

How do you intend improving awareness of the GampR brand and increasing market shareConsistency will be key in our marketing this year ensuring that our current and paid-up customers are exposed to our marketing offers on a regular basis Database direct marketing will be a major focus and we have identified a particular market segment to which we will be directing targeted marketing to build awareness and increase market share These prospective customers will be reached through niche publications We will continue with our print and catalogue distribution strategies as the majority of our consumers are still triggered by a visual range representation

What sets GampR apart from its competitorsDistinctive styling and exclusivity is the cornerstone of product selection at GampR Passionate sales personnel who are more pedantic about quality than our customers raise the benchmark on finding quality imported products that are not available from our competitors Highly impressive store displays create an environment that makes it easy for customers to visualise the product in their own homes

What can GampR customers look forward to in the coming yearA larger selection of contemporary furniture and lounge that caters for the smaller home and a fresh approach to making accessory selections and occasional and accent pieces with the same attention to detail and quality that GampR is renowned for The rollout of our new store concept will be extended to more stores and judging from the response we have received from our customers so far they enjoying a world-class shopping experience unmatched in our competitive environment

Congratulations to Geen amp Richards on 100 years in business

DIRECT MARKETINGASSOCIATION OF SA

TEL (031) 569 1017 bull FACSIMILE (031) 569 1086E-MAIL carolinevibrantdirectcoza

wwwvibrantdirectcozaUNIT 1 30 MORELAND DRIVE REDHILL INDUSTRIAL PARK

PO BOX 201800 DURBAN NORTH 4016

Direct To Home Distribution Impact Marketing and Promotions

Andre schoultz

Newsline Geen amp Richards

9Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lewis Group has partnered with IT Naledi to improve its game in service provider relationships IT Naledi is to service the grouprsquos 560 branches nationally to boost staff proficiency and meet stringent timetables

Lewis Bellville store manager Edroy Lewis says he welcomes a system that will enable him to work faster IT Naledi dispatches one multiskilled technician to solve myriad technical problems

The partnership will also enable the furniture retailer to better manage its overheads

ldquoThere are no hidden costs in the monthly invoicerdquo says Lewis information technology manager Gareth Hawkey

Purveyors of luxury decor and design will experience pure shopping bliss with the launch of the new Wunders showroom in De Waterkant

Established in 1983 the family-owned business which produces and manufac-tures only the finest quality upholstered furniture in South Africa will complement its new decor emporium with premium internationally sourced contemporary accessories

Emulating the iconic image of summer in the Riviera through the use of fresh vibrant turquoise earthy tones in clean lines and varying natural textures the new Wunders concept store will be refreshed seasonally to provide customers with cur-rent trends and inspiring designer pieces The 200 square metres of exhibition space will form the backdrop of its seasonal showcase of new furniture collections

All things Wunder‑ful launches in Cape Town in November

Wunders produces fine-quality upholstered furniture

New IT partner to improve Lewis

relationships

Buying group Furnex has been granted a Section 311 of the Companies Act allowing it to offer a reduced compromise with its creditors of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation

This follows Furnexrsquos sudden announcement in June that it was ceasing to trade The ldquoannouncementrdquo took the form of a letter emailed to suppliers and members and under the subject line ldquoFurnex Restructurerdquo stated that discussions were underway with ldquovarious interested parties regarding taking over the business of Furnexrdquo The move caught most suppliers and members by surprise to say the least and left many retailers unable to trade

Ascot Bedding and Furniture manag-ing director Des Dussing says he received a call from someone in the Bravo Group warning him that Furnex was having ldquocom-puter problemsrdquo

ldquoWe were in the middle of a promotion at the time and couldnrsquot understand why we were unable to process payments I immediately phoned Furnex but no one would give me a straight answer Then the letter arrivedrdquo

Dussing says he is disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which the matter was handled ldquoI have had a long relationship with Furnex and feel they havenrsquot played the game fairlyrdquo

Dussing was able to open direct ac-counts fairly quickly with larger suppli-ers and was soon conducting business as usual

Appliances for U managing director Danny Daniels was not so lucky He says he made a mistake by committing to one buying group ndash Furnex ndash only ldquoWe had no inkling that the company was in trouble In fact we received a visit from one of the Furnex directors just before the closure notice was sent who said he was happy with our figures He didnrsquot say a word about the company being in trouble or that closure was imminentrdquo

Daniels says he was unable to make alternative arrangements with his companyrsquos creditors who are unwilling to do cash deals or open a direct account ldquoWe have been struggling to trade and losing rebates as a resultrdquo

He strongly advises other retailers not to be a member of one buying group only ldquoSome suppliers have been helpful but our

bottom line has been severely affectedrdquoHGR has been in constant contact

with Furnex managing director Andy Simaan who promised to provide an official statement once everything had been finalised

ldquoI am still trying to save the companyrdquo he said during one of numerous phone calls and to this end had applied to the high court for a Section 311 of the Companies Act which essentially is a scheme of compromise between a company and its creditors where the creditors are asked to accept a reduced compromise of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation The court then calls a meeting of creditors to explain the scheme to them and to put the scheme to their vote Should the compromise be approved by the creditors and sanctioned by the court the winding-up order will be set aside and the company reinstated

The order was granted on 10 September Despite repeated promises by Simaan to provide answers to HGRrsquos written list of questions at the time of going to print he had still not responded

Final countdown for Furnex

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200910

Massmart remains optimistic about growth prospects in South Africa and other African countries despite posting posted a 46 per cent decline in headline earnings for the year to June

Comparable sales growth for the com-pany was also lower from 119 per cent in the first half to 45 per cent in the second but operating profit grew in both halves rising 51 per cent to R2 billion before for-eign exchange movements Total sales rose 107 per cent to R43 billion while compa-rable store sales increased by 82 per cent

CEO Grant Pattison is ldquosatisfiedrdquo with the companyrsquos performance considering that this is the first recession South Africa has had to go through in 17 years ldquoWe are weathering the economic storm with our strategic operational and long-term growth prospects intact and we have gained market share in all our divisions

ldquoWe are responding to the short- term environment challenges but remain con-fident in the underlying strengths of the

group and are excited about the medium to long-term potential in our markets both in South Africa and the rest of Africardquo

The company plans to open ten stores in Africa in six to seven years at a cost of about R100 million each The group has about 20 stores in 13 African countries but these operations have the potential to grow to 50 per cent the size of its South African operations Currently 91 per cent of Massmartrsquos revenue is earned in South Africa

Crime dents profitsPattison says the recession has sparked an increase in crime at its operations marked by an uptick in fraud store robberies and shrinkage which has also negatively affected profits

ldquoThe recession has emboldened criminals Not only has crime escalated but we have also seen a pattern in the type of crime that is hitting our stores It is not your average Joe Block on the streets

who is stealing from us but hardened well orchestrated criminalsrdquo

ldquoDespite the economic downturn Game stores are continuing to grow not only in store numbers but also in profitabilityrdquo Pattison points out ldquoOur Game shops are doing well both in South Africa and outside the country

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of an application by the Furniture Traders Association (FTA) and eleven other respondents including the ldquobig fourrdquo banks that debt review applications require a formal hearing and argument in a magistratersquos court

The ruling comes after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) brought an

application before the court to resolve continued uncertainty over how debt review requests are brought before the Magistratersquos Courts The NCR argued that applications to restructure repayment obligations for an over-indebted person should be a cheaper and simpler admini-strative process than going to court

In his judgment Judge Du Plessis ruled that the debt review process requires certainty and should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules applicable to formal application procedures

The court also ruled that penalties and interest accrued by a person defaulting on debt could not exceed the amount owing FTA executive director Dick Behrens says that this ruling has provided much-need clarity for credit providers specifically those in the retail industry

ldquoIn the past a consumer who owed R5 000 for example ended up paying

R35 000 because of interest and other extra charges The new ruling effectively caps other charges at the original R5 000rdquo

Eric Levenstein an attorney for the four big banks believes all credit providers will welcome the judgment He agrees that the process specified by Judge Du Plessis ndash that applications should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules ndash is technical but says applicants will now have ensure they cross all the Ts and dot all the Is

ldquoI think credit providers have started to realise itrsquos not in their interest to challenge debt counselling applications on the strength of technicalitiesrdquo says NCRrsquos senior manager for Education and Strategy Peter Setou

The ruling will give the legal process a kick start and strengthen efforts to eliminate the backlog which will mean less finger pointing from credit providers

Dick Behrens ndash retail credit providers now have clarity

court provides clarity on debt review process

Grant Pattison ndash satisfied with results

Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish

Newsline

11Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 12: HGR - September 2009

Lewis Group has partnered with IT Naledi to improve its game in service provider relationships IT Naledi is to service the grouprsquos 560 branches nationally to boost staff proficiency and meet stringent timetables

Lewis Bellville store manager Edroy Lewis says he welcomes a system that will enable him to work faster IT Naledi dispatches one multiskilled technician to solve myriad technical problems

The partnership will also enable the furniture retailer to better manage its overheads

ldquoThere are no hidden costs in the monthly invoicerdquo says Lewis information technology manager Gareth Hawkey

Purveyors of luxury decor and design will experience pure shopping bliss with the launch of the new Wunders showroom in De Waterkant

Established in 1983 the family-owned business which produces and manufac-tures only the finest quality upholstered furniture in South Africa will complement its new decor emporium with premium internationally sourced contemporary accessories

Emulating the iconic image of summer in the Riviera through the use of fresh vibrant turquoise earthy tones in clean lines and varying natural textures the new Wunders concept store will be refreshed seasonally to provide customers with cur-rent trends and inspiring designer pieces The 200 square metres of exhibition space will form the backdrop of its seasonal showcase of new furniture collections

All things Wunder‑ful launches in Cape Town in November

Wunders produces fine-quality upholstered furniture

New IT partner to improve Lewis

relationships

Buying group Furnex has been granted a Section 311 of the Companies Act allowing it to offer a reduced compromise with its creditors of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation

This follows Furnexrsquos sudden announcement in June that it was ceasing to trade The ldquoannouncementrdquo took the form of a letter emailed to suppliers and members and under the subject line ldquoFurnex Restructurerdquo stated that discussions were underway with ldquovarious interested parties regarding taking over the business of Furnexrdquo The move caught most suppliers and members by surprise to say the least and left many retailers unable to trade

Ascot Bedding and Furniture manag-ing director Des Dussing says he received a call from someone in the Bravo Group warning him that Furnex was having ldquocom-puter problemsrdquo

ldquoWe were in the middle of a promotion at the time and couldnrsquot understand why we were unable to process payments I immediately phoned Furnex but no one would give me a straight answer Then the letter arrivedrdquo

Dussing says he is disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which the matter was handled ldquoI have had a long relationship with Furnex and feel they havenrsquot played the game fairlyrdquo

Dussing was able to open direct ac-counts fairly quickly with larger suppli-ers and was soon conducting business as usual

Appliances for U managing director Danny Daniels was not so lucky He says he made a mistake by committing to one buying group ndash Furnex ndash only ldquoWe had no inkling that the company was in trouble In fact we received a visit from one of the Furnex directors just before the closure notice was sent who said he was happy with our figures He didnrsquot say a word about the company being in trouble or that closure was imminentrdquo

Daniels says he was unable to make alternative arrangements with his companyrsquos creditors who are unwilling to do cash deals or open a direct account ldquoWe have been struggling to trade and losing rebates as a resultrdquo

He strongly advises other retailers not to be a member of one buying group only ldquoSome suppliers have been helpful but our

bottom line has been severely affectedrdquoHGR has been in constant contact

with Furnex managing director Andy Simaan who promised to provide an official statement once everything had been finalised

ldquoI am still trying to save the companyrdquo he said during one of numerous phone calls and to this end had applied to the high court for a Section 311 of the Companies Act which essentially is a scheme of compromise between a company and its creditors where the creditors are asked to accept a reduced compromise of their claims on the basis that the payment they will receive is more than they would receive on liquidation The court then calls a meeting of creditors to explain the scheme to them and to put the scheme to their vote Should the compromise be approved by the creditors and sanctioned by the court the winding-up order will be set aside and the company reinstated

The order was granted on 10 September Despite repeated promises by Simaan to provide answers to HGRrsquos written list of questions at the time of going to print he had still not responded

Final countdown for Furnex

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200910

Massmart remains optimistic about growth prospects in South Africa and other African countries despite posting posted a 46 per cent decline in headline earnings for the year to June

Comparable sales growth for the com-pany was also lower from 119 per cent in the first half to 45 per cent in the second but operating profit grew in both halves rising 51 per cent to R2 billion before for-eign exchange movements Total sales rose 107 per cent to R43 billion while compa-rable store sales increased by 82 per cent

CEO Grant Pattison is ldquosatisfiedrdquo with the companyrsquos performance considering that this is the first recession South Africa has had to go through in 17 years ldquoWe are weathering the economic storm with our strategic operational and long-term growth prospects intact and we have gained market share in all our divisions

ldquoWe are responding to the short- term environment challenges but remain con-fident in the underlying strengths of the

group and are excited about the medium to long-term potential in our markets both in South Africa and the rest of Africardquo

The company plans to open ten stores in Africa in six to seven years at a cost of about R100 million each The group has about 20 stores in 13 African countries but these operations have the potential to grow to 50 per cent the size of its South African operations Currently 91 per cent of Massmartrsquos revenue is earned in South Africa

Crime dents profitsPattison says the recession has sparked an increase in crime at its operations marked by an uptick in fraud store robberies and shrinkage which has also negatively affected profits

ldquoThe recession has emboldened criminals Not only has crime escalated but we have also seen a pattern in the type of crime that is hitting our stores It is not your average Joe Block on the streets

who is stealing from us but hardened well orchestrated criminalsrdquo

ldquoDespite the economic downturn Game stores are continuing to grow not only in store numbers but also in profitabilityrdquo Pattison points out ldquoOur Game shops are doing well both in South Africa and outside the country

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of an application by the Furniture Traders Association (FTA) and eleven other respondents including the ldquobig fourrdquo banks that debt review applications require a formal hearing and argument in a magistratersquos court

The ruling comes after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) brought an

application before the court to resolve continued uncertainty over how debt review requests are brought before the Magistratersquos Courts The NCR argued that applications to restructure repayment obligations for an over-indebted person should be a cheaper and simpler admini-strative process than going to court

In his judgment Judge Du Plessis ruled that the debt review process requires certainty and should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules applicable to formal application procedures

The court also ruled that penalties and interest accrued by a person defaulting on debt could not exceed the amount owing FTA executive director Dick Behrens says that this ruling has provided much-need clarity for credit providers specifically those in the retail industry

ldquoIn the past a consumer who owed R5 000 for example ended up paying

R35 000 because of interest and other extra charges The new ruling effectively caps other charges at the original R5 000rdquo

Eric Levenstein an attorney for the four big banks believes all credit providers will welcome the judgment He agrees that the process specified by Judge Du Plessis ndash that applications should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules ndash is technical but says applicants will now have ensure they cross all the Ts and dot all the Is

ldquoI think credit providers have started to realise itrsquos not in their interest to challenge debt counselling applications on the strength of technicalitiesrdquo says NCRrsquos senior manager for Education and Strategy Peter Setou

The ruling will give the legal process a kick start and strengthen efforts to eliminate the backlog which will mean less finger pointing from credit providers

Dick Behrens ndash retail credit providers now have clarity

court provides clarity on debt review process

Grant Pattison ndash satisfied with results

Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish

Newsline

11Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 13: HGR - September 2009

Massmart remains optimistic about growth prospects in South Africa and other African countries despite posting posted a 46 per cent decline in headline earnings for the year to June

Comparable sales growth for the com-pany was also lower from 119 per cent in the first half to 45 per cent in the second but operating profit grew in both halves rising 51 per cent to R2 billion before for-eign exchange movements Total sales rose 107 per cent to R43 billion while compa-rable store sales increased by 82 per cent

CEO Grant Pattison is ldquosatisfiedrdquo with the companyrsquos performance considering that this is the first recession South Africa has had to go through in 17 years ldquoWe are weathering the economic storm with our strategic operational and long-term growth prospects intact and we have gained market share in all our divisions

ldquoWe are responding to the short- term environment challenges but remain con-fident in the underlying strengths of the

group and are excited about the medium to long-term potential in our markets both in South Africa and the rest of Africardquo

The company plans to open ten stores in Africa in six to seven years at a cost of about R100 million each The group has about 20 stores in 13 African countries but these operations have the potential to grow to 50 per cent the size of its South African operations Currently 91 per cent of Massmartrsquos revenue is earned in South Africa

Crime dents profitsPattison says the recession has sparked an increase in crime at its operations marked by an uptick in fraud store robberies and shrinkage which has also negatively affected profits

ldquoThe recession has emboldened criminals Not only has crime escalated but we have also seen a pattern in the type of crime that is hitting our stores It is not your average Joe Block on the streets

who is stealing from us but hardened well orchestrated criminalsrdquo

ldquoDespite the economic downturn Game stores are continuing to grow not only in store numbers but also in profitabilityrdquo Pattison points out ldquoOur Game shops are doing well both in South Africa and outside the country

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled in favour of an application by the Furniture Traders Association (FTA) and eleven other respondents including the ldquobig fourrdquo banks that debt review applications require a formal hearing and argument in a magistratersquos court

The ruling comes after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) brought an

application before the court to resolve continued uncertainty over how debt review requests are brought before the Magistratersquos Courts The NCR argued that applications to restructure repayment obligations for an over-indebted person should be a cheaper and simpler admini-strative process than going to court

In his judgment Judge Du Plessis ruled that the debt review process requires certainty and should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules applicable to formal application procedures

The court also ruled that penalties and interest accrued by a person defaulting on debt could not exceed the amount owing FTA executive director Dick Behrens says that this ruling has provided much-need clarity for credit providers specifically those in the retail industry

ldquoIn the past a consumer who owed R5 000 for example ended up paying

R35 000 because of interest and other extra charges The new ruling effectively caps other charges at the original R5 000rdquo

Eric Levenstein an attorney for the four big banks believes all credit providers will welcome the judgment He agrees that the process specified by Judge Du Plessis ndash that applications should be dealt with in terms of the Magistratersquos Court Rules ndash is technical but says applicants will now have ensure they cross all the Ts and dot all the Is

ldquoI think credit providers have started to realise itrsquos not in their interest to challenge debt counselling applications on the strength of technicalitiesrdquo says NCRrsquos senior manager for Education and Strategy Peter Setou

The ruling will give the legal process a kick start and strengthen efforts to eliminate the backlog which will mean less finger pointing from credit providers

Dick Behrens ndash retail credit providers now have clarity

court provides clarity on debt review process

Grant Pattison ndash satisfied with results

Massmart growth declines but management remains bullish

Newsline

11Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 14: HGR - September 2009

Residents of Woodhill in Pretoria are in for a treat following the opening of a new Wetherlys flagship store at the Parkview Shopping Centre

Boasting an impressive 2 929 square metres of floor space the store is split into two well-laid out levels filled with a plethora of beautiful and exclusive furniture accessories curtaining linen and gifts The outlet caters for every decorating mood from contemporary to classical to the very stylish Osiers cane furniture

ldquoThe store has huge windows which pro-vide beautiful views of the Woodhill Golf Estate making our patio section extremely eye-catching and creating the feeling of being outsiderdquo says store manager Sean Weimann ldquoWersquore also excited to be one of the first Wetherlys stores to offer a new and exclusive range of toys specially imported from Paris France Additionally our kiddies section has a wide range of furniture and accessories designed to grow with the child as they move from babyhood into their teensrdquo

Wetherlys managing executive Eugene Beukes says the brand offers one of the most recognisable and unique styles in

South Africa ldquoAt Wetherlys we constantly focus on the needs of the market and the brand has become synonymous with innovative quality furniture and accessories Pretoria customers can visit our new store knowing that all their deacutecor requirements will be satisfied

ldquoWe also have specialist staff on hand such as in-store decorator Stephan du Ples-sis who will assist them in coming up with wonderful ideas to decorate their homesrdquo

The lives of 400 children with physical disability changed recently when they received brand-new wheelchairs worth a total R12 million from Game Stores and Vodacom

Over the last eleven years more than 4200 wheelchairs worth R84 million have been handed to deserving school children as part of the Game and Vodacom wheelchair drive The funds are derived from the donation of an equal percentage of the profit on every Vodacom cellphone contract sold and every prepaid activation at all Game stores

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is also a partner in this ongoing initiative Its role is to identify youngsters with the greatest need for a wheelchair with the help of their provincial offices around the country giving priority to disadvantaged schoolchildren

The SABS-approved wheelchairs are custom-made to suit the needs of each child from specifications provided by their therapists This means they provide more support for the child than a stand-ard wheelchair which gives them greater freedom of movement and helps prevent further deterioration in their posture All are folding models and some have special

features like elevating leg rests adjustable back and arm rests wide front castors and tray straps The conditions where the chil-dren live are also taken into account by the manufacturers This is particularly important in rural areas where the terrain is uneven

ldquoIt is a constant challenge to provide support for people with disability throughout the country with the limited resources available to us particularly during an economic downturnrdquo says the councilrsquos national director Johan Viljoen ldquoThese annual donations are an enormous boost to our organisation and for each individual child who receives their own new wheelchair it is a wonderful giftrdquo

lsquoWe are thrilled that we have been able to offer this life-changing experience to so many youngsters once again especially in the current economic climatersquo says Game managing director Jan Potgieter ldquoWe appre-ciate how difficult it is for those unable to walk to attend school without a wheelchair and it is heartwarming to know that hun-dreds more youngsters are now equipped to obtain the same benefits from their edu-cation as their non-disabled classmatesrdquo

Vodacom Foundation CEO Mthobi Tyamzashe says ldquoWe are specially privileged to be part of improving the lives of people

with disability through these wheelchairs We trust that they will make a significant contribution to the efforts of the recipients to reach their full potential We also thank Vodacom customers for their purchase of cellphones through our national chain Game which has enabled us to make this donationrdquo

400 disabled learners become mobile

Megan van der Westhuizen Miems Coetzee and Top Billingrsquos Hayden Sortman at the opening of Wetherlyrsquos new store in Woodhill Pretoria

Wetherlys opens in Woodhill

The new Wetherlys outlet in Woodhill Pretoria offers the very best in home design

Among the 400 school children who received a brand-new wheelchair from Game and Vodacom were Preston Naidoo (AM Moolla Special School) Zama Khanyezi (Ethembeni School) and Cameron Eyles (Children with a Challenge) Celebrating with them are (back left to right) Wanda Matandela (Vodacom) Tyrone Vieira and Ann Hansen (Game) and PB Singh ( KZN Association for Persons with Disabilities)

Newsline

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200912

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

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bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

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RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 15: HGR - September 2009

Newsline

RecruitmentCEACONSUMER ELECTRONICS amp APPLIANCES

We invite candidates interested in the positions listed below or looking for a career move

to submit their CV in confidence

MARKETING MANAGERS PRODUCT BRAND MANAGERS MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

bull Diplomadegree in marketingbull Must have relevant proven experiencebull Understanding of marketing advertising and

media related functionsbull Sales and promotion planning and implementationbull Candidates must be articulate analytical and have

strong presentation skillsbull Product procurement and relevant administrationbull Consumer electronics industry experience an

advantage

SALES MANAGERS REGIONAL MANAGERS KEY ACCOUNTS SALES REPRESENTATIVES

bull Relevant sales and marketing experiencequalification

bull Successful sales backgroundbull Customer orientated shop front supportbull Industry experience an advantagebull Strong negotiation and communication skillsbull Must be able to identify new business

opportunities and expand on customer basebull Product knowledge trainingbull Good administration planning and

organisational skillsbull Computer literacy (MS Office)

ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONSOfficeSales Administrators Data Capturers

PArsquos SecretariesCredit Controllers Debtors Clerks

Shipping Clerks WarehouseStock Controllers

Using a specialist recruitment agency that understands the market and which will dedicate

itself to discussing your needs and searching for suitable candidates is of importance

With CEA as your partner you will have taken the first step towards a successful recruitment drive

EnquiriesCherry Swanson

Cell 082 780 7976Tel (011) 463 1177 Fax 086 501 5059

e-mail cearecruitmwebcozaPO Box 71876 Bryanston 2021

Amalgamated Appliances is ldquopleasedrdquo with its small domestic appliances sales for the year to June 2009 Whilst year-on-year revenue was slightly lower gross profits grew marginally and the brands maintained their respective market shares

The launch in May 2009 of housewares under the Russell Hobbs brand generated good feedback from consumers and the retail trade and all indications are that the introduction of this new product category bodes well for the future

Despite these achievements the company posted a 35 per cent reduction in revenue down from R16 billion to R1 billion which it attributes to changing the method for the sale of consumer electronic goods Additionally operating loss increased to R71 million from R73 million in 2008

ldquoThe need to discount the Intellipower power inverter range of products had the most significant impact on the businessrdquo says CEO Alan Coward ldquoThe downturn resulted in reduced demand on the national electricity grid and power outages ceased Consequently gross margin declined from 183 to 147 per cent for the yearrdquo

Fierce competition forced Amap to change its model of selling consumer electronic products to the retail trade The company no longer procures and warehouses product based on market research or demand but now only places orders on a back-to-back basis This change resulted in substantial short time layoffs and retrenchments at the grouprsquos appliance factory in Pinetown and electronics factory in Atlantis stock clearance sales and forex losses Restructuring costs incurred amounted to R78 million

Negotiations with various interested parties were initiated for the sale of the Tedelex Manufacturing Tedelex Properties (Atlantis) and the Atlantis TV factory operation a division of Tedelex Trading Amap has also embarked on a programme to outsource its electronics service operations

In spite of the trading conditions Amap was able to generate R2307 million through working capital improvements Cash generated by operations amounted to R1529 million

ldquoWe are confident that the business will continue to generate cash through inventory control overhead savings and the benefits of improved product category selection that has been implementedrdquo says Coward

Although trading continues to be tough Coward is positive about the future ldquoRestructuring has resulted in a lower overhead base positive cash generation and a virtually ungeared balance sheet Significant inroads have been made with new product categories and initial indications of an export drive into Africa have been encouraging

ldquoThe prospect of lower interest rates will have a positive impact on consumer spending in the categories of goods in which we trade and the 2010 Soccer World Cup is also expected to increase general demand for consumer durable goods In light of this we expect to improve operational performance in the new yearrdquo

Pleasing SDA sales for Amap but total revenue drops

Alan Coward ndash hopeful for 2010

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

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Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

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RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 16: HGR - September 2009

ldquoThe hypothesis that human activity can create global warming is extraordinary because it is contrary to validated knowledge from solar physics astronomy history archaeology and geologyrdquo says Plimer and while his thesis is not new yoursquore unlikely to have heard it expressed with quite such vigour certitude or wide-ranging scientific authority Where fellow skeptics like Bjorn Lomborg or Lord Lawson of Blaby are prepared cautiously to endorse the International Panel on Climate Changersquos (IPCC) more modest predictions Plimer will cede no ground whatsoever Anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory he argues is the biggest most dangerous and ruinously expensive con trick in history

ldquoIrsquom a geologist We geologists have always recognised that climate changes over time Where we differ from a lot of people pushing AGW is in our understanding of scale Theyrsquore only interested in the last 150 years Our time frame is 4567 million years So what theyrsquore doing is the equivalent of trying to extrapolate the plot of Casablanca from one tiny bit of the love scene And you canrsquot It doesnrsquot workrdquo

What Heaven And Earth set out to do is restore a sense of scientific perspective to a debate which has been hijacked by ldquopoliticians environmental activists and opportunistsrdquo It points out for example that polar ice has been present on earth for less than 20 per cent of geological time that extinctions of life are normal that climate changes are cyclical and random that the CO

2 in the atmosphere ndash

to which human activity contributes the tiniest fraction ndash is only 0001 per cent of the total CO2 held in the oceans surface rocks air soils and life that CO2 is not a pollutant but a plant food that the earthrsquos warmer periods ndash such as when the Romans grew grapes and citrus trees as far north as Hadrianrsquos Wall ndash were times of wealth and plenty

All this is scientific fact ndash which is more than you can say for any of the computer models turning out doomsday scenarios about inexorably rising temperatures sinking islands and collapsing ice shelves Plimer doesnrsquot trust them because they seem to have little if any basis in observed reality

ldquoIrsquom a natural scientist Irsquom out there every day collecting raw data And thatrsquos why Irsquom so skeptical of these models which have nothing to do with science or empiricism but are about torturing the data till if finally confesses None of them predicted this current period wersquore in of global cooling There is no problem with global warming It stopped in 1998 The last two years of global cooling have erased nearly 30 years of temperature increaserdquo

One of the things that so irks [Plimer] about modern environmentalism is that it is driven by people who are ldquotoo wealthyrdquo ldquoWhen I try explaining lsquoglobal warmingrsquo to people in Iran or Turkey they have no idea what Irsquom talking about Their life is about getting through to the next day finding their next meal Eco-guilt is a first-world luxury Itrsquos the new religion for urban populations which have lost their faith in

Across the globe companies large and small are scurrying to make their operations and products ldquogreenerrdquo in an attempt to reverse global warming and thus help save the planet that experts tell us we are so rapidly destroying But not everyone is panicking Ian Plimer professor of mining geology at Adelaide University in Australia strongly believes that humans are being taken in by the biggest con trick in history and sets out to prove it in his book Heaven And Earth The following excerpt from an article by James Delingpole published in UK publication Spectator (11 July 2009) outlines why Plimerrsquos arguments are garnering so much worldwide attention

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Talking Points

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200914

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 17: HGR - September 2009

Christianity The IPCC report is their Bible Al Gore and Lord Stern are their prophetsrdquo

Heaven And Earth is the offspring of a pop science book Plimer published in 2001 called A Short History of Planet Earth It was based on ten yearsrsquo worth of broadcasts for ABC radio aimed mainly at people in rural areas Though the book was a bestseller and won a Eureka prize ABC refused to publish the follow-up so did all the other major publishers he approached ldquoTherersquos a lot of fear out there No one wants to go against the popular paradigmrdquo

Then someone put him in touch with a tiny publishing outfit in the middle of the bush ndash ldquohusband wife three kids so poor they didnrsquot even have curtainsrdquo ndash and they said yes Plimer couldnrsquot bring himself to accept an advance they clearly couldnrsquot afford But then something remarkable happened In just two days the book sold out its 5000 print run Five further editions followed in swift succession It has now sold 26 500 copies in Australia alone ndash with similarly exciting prospects in Britain and the US Therersquos even an edition coming out in ultra-green Germany

Reading Plimerrsquos Heaven And Earth is at once an enlightening and terrifying experience Enlightening because after 500 pages of heavily annotated prose (the fruit of five yearsrsquo research) you are left in no doubt that manrsquos contribution to the thing they now call ldquoclimate changerdquo was is and probably always will negligible Terrifying because you cannot but be appalled by how much money has been wasted how much unnecessary

regulation drafted because of a ldquoproblemrdquo that doesnrsquot actually exist

Has it come in time to save the day though If therersquos any justice Heaven And Earth will do for the cause of climate change realism what Al Gorersquos An Inconvenient Truth did for climate change alarmism But as Plimer well knows there is no a powerful and very extensive body of vested interests up against him governments like President Obamarsquos which intend to use ldquoglobal warmingrdquo as an excuse for greater taxation regulation and protectionism energy companies and investors who stand to make a fortune from scams like carbon trading charitable bodies like Greenpeace which depend for their funding on public anxiety environmental correspondents who need constantly to talk up the threat to justify their jobs

Does he really believe his message will ever get through Plimer smiles ldquoIf yoursquod asked any scientist or doctor 30 years ago where stomach ulcers come from they would all have given the same answer obviously it comes from the acid brought on by too much stress All of them apart from two scientists who were pilloried for the crazy whacko theory that it was caused by a bacteria In 2005 they won the Nobel prize The lsquoconsensusrsquo was wrongrdquo

Aussie prof exposes the great climate change con trick

Prof Ian Plimer ndash expressing an alternative view on climate change

Talking Points

15Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 18: HGR - September 2009

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine from Mellerware in association with Caturra Coffee uses the coffee motion system of closed capsules to make perfect espressos in seconds

ldquoThe operation is quick and easyrdquo says Steve Stewart of Mellerware distributor Creative Housewares ldquoSimply click open the top of the coffee machine and insert a Caturra capsule close the lid and press the button The result is an espresso with a perfect crema that would satisfy the most discerning coffee connoisseur For those who prefer a weaker espresso allow the machine to run a bit longer for an Americano

ldquoWhen making another cup simply open the lid and the previous capsule conveniently slides into the back and drops into an extractable trayrdquo he continues ldquoThe tray discreetly holds the empty capsules

which can be thrown away later for plastic recycling The capsule system ensures exact quantities making wastage and mess a problem of the pastrdquo

The Caturra capsules are individually hermetically sealed to ensure the coffee stays as fresh as the day it was ground

ldquoConsumers may wonder how to obtain a stronger or weaker blend with a capsule systemrdquo says Stewart Caturra has addressed this with its range of three blends with 14 capsules per boxrdquo

Intenso is blended from Guatemala Brazil and India and is the recommended blend for a full-bodied strong coffee With a hint of acidity it has a lingering taste with a dense and strong aroma

Largo offers a delicious blend of coffee from Mexico Brazil and India with a cereal hint and a smooth texture Mellow in the mouth its character is reinforced by a hint

of acidity If prepared with milk it is a perfect combination

Descafeinado is 100 per cent decaffeinat-ed coffee from Colombia Brazil and Vietnam made guaranteeing that the coffee main-tains its main characteristics while obtaining a creamy full-tasting cup of coffee

Capsules are available from most major retailers and online at wwwcaturracoffeecoza and wwwedreamscoza

The new Nespresso CitiZ machine range takes its inspiration from the streets of major cities The colours of well-known focal points and objects the design and shapes of buildings and landmarks and the urban vibe and attitude of cities have fused together in the minds of Nespresso machine designers and given way to the birth of CitiZ

For the first time Nespresso is launching a range of machines simultaneously which include the Nespresso CitiZ ndash a single-head automatic espresso machine and the Nespresso CitiZampMilk ndash a single-head

automatic espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother

Designed in a slim format to easily fit into smaller urban spaces the machines evoke an urban vibe and have a daring style Like all Nespresso machines the range contains the technologically advanced Nespresso patented extraction and brewing system which controls all the elements needed to create the perfect coffee Additionally the entire CitiZ range is equipped with an automatic standby mode to reduce energy consumption

Within three seconds of the press of a button the Tefal Quick Cup draws up 220ml of water (about the capacity of a mug) through an integrated filter heats it (saving up to 65 per cent compared to a standard kettle) and dispenses it directly into a cup Not only is just enough water heated for each cup but it passes through a filter to ensure it contains less chlorine and lead The Quick Cup also produces a glass of cool water at the touch of a button and is safe enough for children to use

Slim and shiny Nespresso CitiZ range delivers on all fronts

The Nespresso CitiZampMilk includes a built-in fresh milk frother

The Nespresso CitiZ is a single-head automatic espresso machine

Tefal Quick Cup for hot and cold water

The energy efficient Tefal Quick Cup

Mellerware Caturra partnership brings Arezzo capsule coffee machine

The Arezzo capsule coffee machine is available with three blends of coffee

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200916

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 19: HGR - September 2009

The name DersquoLonghi is synonymous with great coffee Made with the best of Italian technology DersquoLonghi offers a range of automatic coffee machines to produce the best cups of filter coffee espresso and cappuccino to be found With DersquoLonghi coffee makers itrsquos possible to tailor a cup of coffee to suit each individual taste

DersquoLonghi Single Touch Digital Magnifica Model ESAM6600A digital programmable menu allows adjustment of coffee strength and temperature and even size of cup Patented auto-cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino Latte or even Italian Macchiato with a single touch Features Quiet burr grinder cup warmer removable water reservoir removable milk container removable used coffee container one to three hour automatic shut-off

DersquoLonghi Magnifica Pronto Automatic Coffee Maker Model ESAM3500The Pronto makes it possible to personalize every cup with size of cup strength of coffee and even temperature The Automatic Cappuccino system gives perfect cappuccino at the touch of a button Features Quiet burr coffee grinder 15 bar pump cup warmer uses coffee beans or ground coffee detachable milk container one to three hour shutoff

DersquoLonghi Combi Coffee Maker Model BCO 261This three-in-one DersquoLonghi coffee maker produces perfect filter coffee excellent espresso and with a unique DersquoLonghi lsquocappuccino systemrsquo gives great cappuccino Features 10 cup filter coffee capacity 15 bar pump stainless steel boiler flavour selector

DersquoLonghi combining Italian reliability with style is imported by Kenwood Appliances For more information phone 011 474 1053

Who can resist a good looking italian

Small Domestic Appliances

17Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 20: HGR - September 2009

After a cold not to mention financially challenging winter consumers are looking forward to enjoying a little fun in the warm summer sun which in South Africa usually means entertaining at home with friends

ldquoBecause most consumersrsquo budgets are still tight when it comes to purchasing food appliances in tough economic times they tend to stick with brands they know they can trustrdquo says Kenwood managing director John Irving ldquoThe fact that Ken-wood is the number one food preparation brand in Europe and ranks at the top end of the scale in South Africa clearly shows that our kitchen appliances are viewed as being synonymous with quality and reliabilityrdquo

In addition to the companyrsquos long standing leadership position in the kitchen machine food processor and blender categories in South Africa with many Kenwood Chefs still working after several decades and some even being passed on from mother to daughter Kenwood also offers numerous solutions for fun food preparation this summer with its range of smoothie makers ice cream makers juicers water filters bread makers coffee machines and more

A good example is the Smoothie2Go a compact smoothie maker that comes with two 500ml plastic goblets complete with dispensing lids that turn the goblets into handy travel mugs

ldquoThe Smoothie2Go makes refreshing healthy smoothies quickly and con-venientlyrdquo says Irving ldquoPour a nutritious

smoothie immediately at the breakfast ta-ble take it to work or store it in the fridge to enjoy later Itrsquos great for those keen to stay healthy while leading a busy lifestylerdquo

Healthy eating is increasingly important to todayrsquos consumers who are becoming more discerning about the ingredients contained in the food they purchase ldquoWhich is why our breadmaker is so greatrdquo says Irving ldquoNot only does it give consumers total control over what goes into their loaf but it also means a healthy cost saving as the average home-baked loaf of bread costs almost half of a store-bought one and tastes better too

ldquoSimply pop the ingredients into the breadmaker press the button and follow the easy steps on the LCD display for fresh healthy bread in less than an hourrdquo he ex-plains ldquoA choice of 15 programmes gives users an array of possibilities including a light medium or dark crust Setting the timer will enable the breadmaker to start making the bread in the early hours so users can wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread Additionally the one hour lsquokeep warmrsquo setting keeps the bread warm should they decide to have a lie-inrdquo

Not forgetting the childrenKenwoodrsquos range of Disney themed products ensures lots of fun for kids during summer The Disney waffle maker is subtly embossed with the classic Mickey Mouse and transforms ordinary waffles into the charming face of everyonersquos favourite mouse Perfect for magical family

breakfasts parties or fun desserts this brilliant appliance will be loved by both adults and children Kids can also wake up to Mickeyrsquos face on their toast with the Disney toaster

Another fabulous appliance that will excite and appeal to any Disney fan is the popcorn maker which prepares a delicious bowl of popcorn in just a few minutes

ldquoWhat better way to enjoy family time together than over a bowl of fresh hot popcorn and a Disney movierdquo says Irving

The cute Disney Ice Cream Maker also features a Mickey Mouse-themed design and can make up to 15 litres of ice cream in 30-40 minutes while the Disney smoothie maker only needs a few seconds to provide a delicious refreshing milkshake on a hot summer day

ldquoThinking about the kitchen means thinking Kenwood suppliers of quality food preparation appliances for more than 60 yearsrdquo Irving concludes

Kenwood all set for summer sun fun

The Kenwood Smoothie2Go makes nutritious smoothies for people on the run

No oil is needed when using the Kenwood popcorn maker

Kenwoodrsquos Disney singing toaster sings the Disney theme when the toast pops up

The Kenwood breadmaker provides fresh healthy bread in less than an hour

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200918

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

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Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

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Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 21: HGR - September 2009

THREE OF THE BESTTHE ULTIMATE KENWOODThe KENWOOD TITANIUM MAJOR MODEL KM020 is the ultimate mixing machine The Major has a 1500 watt motor that can handle every mixing task from beating egg whites to mixing bread dough and fruit cakes The 67 liter stainless steel bowl has twin handles for ease of use Stainless steel mixing tools include a K-beater for general mixing a Whisk for light fluffy mixtures and a Dough Hook designed especially to handle yeast mixtures and a flexi-beater that scrapes down the sides of the bowl during mixing A 15 liter glass liquidiser is included with The Titanium Major and there are other optional attachments available to turn the Major into a complete food preparation centre

TOP‑OF‑THE‑RANGE FOOD PROCESSORThe Kenwood legend of excellence in food preparation continues with the top-of-the-range KENWOOD MULTIPRO LIBRA FOOD PROCESSOR MODEL FP950 An upright design means all attachments operate directly from the motor and this processor takes up little space on the work surface With the 1000 watt motor and large capacity bowl chopping slicing shredding mixing and mincing are made easy An outstanding feature is the built-in lsquoeasy weighrsquo digital scale that allows

ingredients to be weighed directly into the work bowl The scale can also be used to pre-weigh ingredients

The Kenwood Libra has all the bits and pieces needed to simplify your life in the kitchen including a 15 liter glass liquidiser mini bowl multi mill maxi-blend canopy citrus press centrifugal juicer and more

KENWOOD PROSPERO HAS IT ALLThe KENWOOD PROSPERO MODEL KM264 is a domestic kitchen machine for family use It is ideal for a variety of simple food preparation tasks The Kenwood Prospero has compact design 900 watt motor variable speed 4 liter stainless steel bowl planetary action for thorough mixing and three mixing tools to perform every mixing need While attachments vary from model to model the range of attachments included with the KM264 include a 15 liter acrylic liquidiser a 14 liter food processor with citrus juicer accessory and a centrifugal juicer Also included are a splash guard and a CD ROM with 90 recipes

For more information about Kenwood Appliances phone 011 474 0153 and speak to the Kenwood Brand Manager or go to wwwkenwoodworldcom and click on South Africa

Thinking Kitchens Think KenwoodFor over 60 years Kenwood appliances have been the preferred kitchen machines for thousands of homemakers world wide Kenwood a leader in the small appliance field has produced innovative efficient and easy-to-use kitchen appliances to ensure that time spent in the kitchen is shortened With Kenwood food preparation becomes a pleasure

Kenwood Multipro Libra Food Processor Model FP950

Kenwood Prospero Model KM264

Kenwood Titanium Major Model KM020

Small Domestic Appliances

19Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

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Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

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HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 22: HGR - September 2009

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg needs only four minutes to prepare eggs and toast while keeping bacon in the warmer for pre-cooked meats

The versatile design of the Tefal Toast lsquon Egg features an egg poaching tray

for muffin-sized cooked eggs a steamer tray for cooking hard boiled eggs two wide slots for toast muffins croissants or even bagels and a warming tray for heating pre-cooked meats The all-in-one countertop appliance comes equipped with a crumb tray measuring beaker an egg piercing pick for boiled eggs and convenient cord storage

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg is perfect for moms who want to send children off to school with a proper breakfast every morning or for the busy professional on the go with no time to fuss Either way itrsquos a must-have kitchen appliance that will change the way breakfast is prepared in the morning dispelling the myth that it requires hours of slaving over a hot stove

Delicious homemade citrus juice are quickly and easily prepared with the Philips citrus press Thanks to its compact design the citrus press can easily be stored and all parts are dishwasher safe thereby saving time washing up

The Tefal Toast lsquon Egg prepares a wholesome breakfast in four minutes

Tefal toaster also boils or poaches eggs

The LG breadmaker

The Philips citrus press is compact and dishwasher-safe

LG bakes bread in the home

LG Electronicsrsquo all new breadmaker brings deliciously warm fresh bread straight to consumersrsquo homes Compact and lightweight the breadmaker is styl-ish enough to keep on the countertop

It offers a number of settings from which to choose with varied cooking times making it possible to bake anything from basic bread to speciality breads and even cakes

Simple to use easy to run and dishwasher safe the Actifry cooks an entire meal ndash be it meat vegetables or fish ndash all at once with a single spoonful of oil

Light fluffy chips for the whole family can be made quickly and efficiently with no pre-heat time required Using only a fraction of the oil the chips are cooked to perfection with merely three per cent fat

Besides offering a healthy way to steam the Vitacuisine from Tefal features the added function of a vitamin booster allowing users to cook a meal within minutes while retaining 50 per cent more of the nutrients compared to conventional cooking methods and 20 per cent more than other steamers

New tri-steam technology enables the three-in-one steamer to use all three sta-tions simultaneously without compromising or mixing flavours For example mussels vegetables and fruit ndash perhaps pears with a warm chocolate sauce ndash can be cooked at the same time Additionally the lsquoautomatic keep warmrsquo function keeps the food heated until serving time

Vitacuisine provides a nutritional meal every night of the week

The Vitacuisine is perfect for consumers who lead busy lives but want to prepare healthy family meals

Philips provides freshly squeezed juice in an instant

The Tefal Actifry is billed as the next-generation fryer

Tefal Actifry a must for all kitchens

Small Domestic Appliances

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200920

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 23: HGR - September 2009

Small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor Creative Housewares has been appointed official South African dis-tributor of the Morphy Richards appliance brand Sold in more than 40 countries the 70-year-old Morphy Richards brand is owned by the Glen Dimplex group the worldrsquos largest manufacturer of electric heating appliances

ldquoAfter 15 years in the South African market Morphy Richards has developed a reputation for exceptional products and outstanding qualityrdquo says Creative Housewares managing director Justin Fenn ldquoThe brandrsquos innovative designs and high manufacturing standards have established it as a market leader

ldquoThe productrsquos user-friendly appeal is coupled with a stylish and contemporary lookrdquo he continues ldquoFrom irons kettles toasters and coffee makers Morphy Richards constantly aims to provide products that make everyday tasks easier Each product is carefully designed to provide exactly the right combination of

functions to get the job donerdquoCreative Housewares also distributes

in-house brands Mellerware Monix and Mallory as well as international labels Dy-son Aqua Optima and GreenPan Mallory is positioned to the price-sensitive con-sumer while the Mellerware contemporary and executive ranges offer a high-quality product at an affordable price

Fenn says the inclusion of the aspira-tional Morphy Richards now completes the Creative Housewares offering ensuring a full spectrum of life-enhancing products to the market ldquoThe premium market in appliances has had few offerings of true ex-cellence but this will change with Morphy Richardsrsquo quality design and innovation It is our intention to bring these missing aspects back into the premium market

ldquoThe two-year guarantee on the product range is not only a high reflection of the Morphy Richards brand but also of the high quality expectation Creative Housewares places on its productsrdquo he adds

Creative Housewares will be looking for key retail partners to distribute the brand which says Fenn ldquoneed to have the same passion and vision for the brand as we dordquo

Sodastream the home soda system that has been a staple in South African kitchens for many years is making a comeback with funky new machines and a greater range of drinks that is set to provide consumers with a better and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled beverages

As the world turns green and focuses its attention on pressing environmental issues Sodastream has repositioned itself as an earth-friendly brand dedicated to reducing reusing recovering and recycling through its innovative soda

system that ultimately saves energy and limits the number of bottles in the environment Gone is the old-fashioned Sodastream machine and in its place is a range of elegant new drinks-makers featuring the most advanced technology and stylish modern designs that make these machines at home in any contemporary kitchen

The Sodastream system is easy and fun to use especially for youngsters It offers a variety of 18 healthy and natural flavours including ten family favourites three sugar-free flavours two isotonic sport varieties two ice tea variants the Xstream flavour (with guarana and vitamins to refresh and revitalise body and mind) as well as the option of the ever-versatile soda water

The Sodastream system is a cost-effective alternative to commercial beverages in that it can be used anywhere anytime in the comfort of the home and provides unbeatable value-for-money costing just R155 per litre of soda water and as little as R342 per litre of fizzy

drink One 500ml bottle of syrup makes 12 litres of cold drink

New look for earth‑friendly SA favourite Sodastream

Creative Housewares appointed Morphy Richards distributor

Justin Fenn ndash looking to appoint Morphy Richards retailers

The Sodastream Red Genesis Machine

The Sodastream Pure Machine

The Sodastream Jet Machine

Small Domestic Appliances

21Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 24: HGR - September 2009

Lexmarkrsquos 2009 inkjet all-in-one (AIO) printer range represents seven new printers ideal for the home office and small to medium-sized businesses

The professional series includes a five-year guarantee and consists of four modelsbull Platinum ndash top-of-the-line wireless

four-in-one with 43 inch Web-connected LCD touch screen equipped with SmartSolutions dual paper trays automatic document feeder energy-saving Eco Mode button integrated Business Card Scan solution and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prestige ndash wireless three-in-one with SmartSolutions touch screen and lowest black ink cost in the inkjet industry

bull Prevail ndash wireless four-in-one with advanced networking capability

bull Prospect ndash wireless four-in-one with integrated business card scanner

Three models make up the home office series which comes with a three-year guaranteebull Interact ndash wireless three-in-one with

SmartSolutions touch screen

bull Interpret ndash compact wireless four-in-one for office productivity

bull Impact ndash compact wireless three-in-one for everyday tasks

Lexmarkrsquos myTouch capacitive 43-inch touch screen technology incorporates easy-to-read graphical icons for basic functions and as-needed navigation for a more user-friendly experience Lexmark has also introduced its award-winning enterprise workflow solutions SmartSolutions to SMB customers at more affordable price points to save them time and money and enhance efficiency Examples of current widget-like customised solutions includebull Shortcuts and workflows ndash time-saving

customisable productivity features such as group faxing scan to e-mail templates and more

bull ID card copy ndash scan the ID card and print both sides on a single sheet of paper cuts up to 50 per cent paper usage of this everyday task

bull RSS feeds ndash business weather sports news a company intranet or whatever else the user wants to access via RSS is available directly on the touch screen and can even be emailed directly from the printer

The entire line of products features the patented Vizix print technology which includes separate ink cartridges fast speed and impressive quality With the Vizix system users replace only what ink needs replacing Across the range customers can select high-yield black cartridges to extend the life of the ink

New features take print furtherWhile all products in the range share the same print speed quality and wireless capability there are a host of additional features that users can choose from

Eco Mode automates two-sided printing faxing and copying saving businesses up to 50 per cent of their paper usage and lowering overall costs

Business card scan automatically uploads contact information to the most commonly used address book applications ideal for business users looking to save time eliminate clutter and organise their desks

Low cost-per-page delivers the inkjet industryrsquos best mono printing cost Since SMBs typically print black and white documents professionals can purchase the lowest black printing cost in the industry with high-yield black cartridge replacements and enjoy long-life ink performance

Lexmark Web‑connected touch screen inkjets for SMBs a world first

Product Showcase

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 25: HGR - September 2009

The highly anticipated new Chocolate mobile phone from LG Electronics the LG-BL40 has been released to retailers worldwide

With the introduction of its bold new shape the new Chocolate is essentially reinventing the way consumers view and use mobile phones Designed with sleek sophistication the strikingly unconventional four-inch wide screen opens up an enlarged and more optimal space for on-the-go computing allowing for an entirely new mobile experience that raises the bar of innovation

Users will see things differently with the widened 219 panoramic display that establishes a new level of visual comfort for the reading of web pages and e-mail and dramatically brings videos and games

to life with cinematic flair Going wide also allows for the dual screen era to finally be brought to handsets for enhanced usability which when combined with LGrsquos upgraded and intuitive S-Class UI brings a whole new meaning to the words ldquouser-friendlyrdquo

ldquoThe new LG Chocolate will dramatically change the way we interact with our phonesrdquo says LG Electronics South Africa marketing director Dr Michelle Potgieter ldquoThe phone reflects the originality and sophistication of the Black Label Series

and we are confident that the new Chocolate will create its own legacy and further enhance our standing in the marketrdquo

Acer South Africarsquos new TravelMate 8000 Timeline series a line-up of ultra-thin professional notebooks designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life with no compromise to performance are now available locally

ldquoWith these new TravelMate models users can experience the optimal balance of performance mobility productivity and energy consumptionrdquo says Acer South Africa business development manager John Geypen ldquoThese notebooks can keep busy professionals productive for an entire working day on a single battery charge thanks to the combination of low energy consuming components on which they are builtrdquo

The notebooks are based on the recently introduced Intel ultra-low voltage (ULV) processors - the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Core 2 Solo processor - and LED-backlit displays to

offer incredibly long battery life and the same performance offered by standard notebooks

In addition users can simply press the Acer PowerSmart key to enable Acer PowerSmart Management and apply advanced settings to extend battery life or boost performance according to their needs at any given time Even the power adapter in the TravelMate 8000 is more energy efficient than other notebooks - its adaptive charging mode automatically stops consuming power when the battery is fully charged saving energy and reducing heat

The TravelMate 8000 Timeline series is available in three formats 133 14 and 156 inches Irrespective of the screen size each model in the range presents razor-sharp images and enhanced readability thanks to the WXGA LED backlit display with 169 aspect ratio 1366X768 HD resolution and high brightness Depending on the model the TravelMate 8000 notebooks come with dedicated or integrated graphics solutions

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks are just about one inch thick and ultra-light with weight ranging from 16kg of the 133-inch model to just over two kilogrammes for the 156-inch model Acerrsquos Thermal

Comfort cooling technology which uses Intel Laminar Wall Jet technology means the new TravelMates can be used on onersquos lap for as long as is needed without overheating

3G Wi-Fi Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options are available depending on the configuration one opts for The Acer Video Conference solution including the Acer Crystal Eye high-def webcam and built-in microphone enables high-quality video conferences so that users can stay in touch with contacts

The TravelMate 8000 notebooks address security concerns with a range integrated features designed to protect the valuable data they house The Acer Backup key makes it quick and simple to duplicate data to a location of the userrsquos choice while Acer Bio-Protection fingerprint solution secures the system from unauthorised access Enhanced Acer DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) technology insulates the hard disk providing protection from the wear and tear of usage on the go

The TravelMate 8000 series comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Business it will also be available with Windows 7 Professional when released by Microsoft

Give consumers a taste of new chocolate with the LG-BL40

LGrsquos ultimate wide screen phone creates a new mobile experience

Acer SA unleashes TravelMate 8000 Timeline series

Product Showcase

23Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 26: HGR - September 2009

One of numerous branches located worldwide TV and household appliances supplier Hisense South Africarsquos vision is to pursue the study of consumer electronics for the development and advancement of current and future technology

ldquoThere are exciting times ahead for Hisense South Africa as we prepare to launch the all-new Ultra slim LED TV in January 2010rdquo says director Jerry Gu ldquoHisense is a leading consumer electronics brand in China and the South African Team is working very hard to communicate the benefits of our products to the South African marketrdquo

Acknowledged for its superb quality and precision Hisense is also one of the only brands to receive the prestigious quality control award in China in 2001 ldquoThis advantage helps keep our product returns to a minimumrdquo says Gu

According to a recent report in Business Day Hisense South Africa is projecting growth and profits of up to US$100 million this year ndash half of which will be from southern Africa The companyrsquos projections for business could double compared to last year Almost eight months into the year the volume of business has reached $65 million while for the whole of last year it totaled $60 million

ldquoWe are very encouraged by this trend and we believe that as we grow and find partners to work with we will be able to grow into other regions on the continentrdquo says Hisense manager for the Africa division Robert Si ldquoThe South African operation is growing particularly well in Africa because it serves a huge Southern African Development Community market

Hisense continues to fly high

Jerry Gu ndash ldquoexciting times aheadrdquo

Air conditioning LED televisions and refrigerators are just some of the products supplied by Hisense South Africa

Product Showcase

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 27: HGR - September 2009

Anyone who has ever been in a situation where note taking is required will appreci-ate everything that the Livescribe can do Using dotted paper technology that allows the pen to track its own motion the SmartPen gives the user the abil-ity to record audio from

a meeting lecture or interview while taking notesWhen the notes are reviewed by touching the pen to any word symbol or marking made on the page the SmartPen will play the audio that was recorded at the exact moment that text was written So if a lecturer says something important all the user

need do is write a note or even just make a squiggle on the page and the SmartPen will bookmark and play back what was said the exact moment the mark was made Users need not worry about a meeting dragging on for hours as 1GB equals 100 hourrsquos worth of recoding time

When the Livescribe is plugged into a USB port on a Mac or PC all pages are instantly uploaded where they can be viewed as visual interactive documents in which the hand-written text can be searched for keywords notes shared online and even converted PDFs or Flash movies

The pen also has the ability to draw a sketch and make verbal notes or instructions while this is being done When uploaded to a PC the sketch will be drawn live on screen with voice (or audio notes) overlaying the picture as it is redrawn in real time OCR software from Vision Objects allows the handwritten notes to be converted directly to text without wasting time recapturing electronically what has already been written

The eMachines EZ1600 PC is a perfect entry-level solution for users looking for a simple compact and ergonomic computer that caters for Internet applications and basic home comput-ing tasks

This family-friendly all-in-one PC takes up far less desk space and looks more elegant than a traditional PC plus monitor solution yet offers good enough performance to cater for most home computing Internet and productivity applications

Acer South Africa business development manager Eric Blom says ldquoWhether users are into the Internet (social networking VoIP emailing browsing and other online activities) or basic computing (word processing photovideo viewing) the eMachines EZ1600 is the perfect solution for their needs The blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great second computer for the home or an ideal first compu-ter for an entry-level userrdquo

The all-in-one EZ Series fits the desktop PC and an 185-inch widescreen LCD monitor into a gorgeous and space-saving package with the convenience of one-cable setup The eMachines EZ1600 PC features an Intel Atom N270 processor Windows XP Home up to 2GB DDR2 memory and a 160GB SATA hard disc drive The integrated LCD screen is an 185-inch widescreen display with 169 aspect ratio and 720p HD resolution

The machine also features a SuperMulti DVD-ROM multi-

in-one card reader and embedded high-definition audio The full-size keyboard slides under the easel-styled PC to save space when the eMachines EZ1600 is not in use

Thanks to the ultra-low-power Intel Atom processor optimised component placement and a mechanical and fanless design the eMachines EZ1600 runs whisper-quiet at all times and consumes minimal power Built-in Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi 80211bg connectivity makes connecting to the Internet a snap

Livescribe SmartPen never misses a word

The eMachines EZ1600 PCrsquos blend of affordability simplicity and ergonomics makes it a great computer for the home

The Livescribe smartpen records everything the user hears and writes

eMachines offer simple affordable solution for home computing

Product Showcase

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200926

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 28: HGR - September 2009

Following the success of the original Bikini Perfect Philips has extended the range to include two new models the Body Perfect (HP6379) and the Satinelle Soft Total (HP6509)

The Body Perfect is an all-in-one personal grooming set that combines all the benefits of other grooming products in one to offer a flexible and precise hair removal appliance Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling the Philips Body Perfect comprises six grooming attachments to keep brows face underarms and bikini line fuzz-freebull Precision trimmer for the perfect

bikini linebull Bikini comb for styling and sculpting

the bikini linebull Precision shaver for quick on-the-

spot hair removalbull Epilation head for long-lasting hair

removalbull Micro trimmer or fine hairs on the

face or brow linebull Eyebrow comb for the perfect

brushed-through brow

Satinelle Soft TotalThis new system removes hairs from the root leaving skin silky smooth for weeks not days The Satinelle Soft Total comes with a unique set of first-time user attachments to help users achieve the best results and is the perfect epilation starter set for the whole body with a two-speed setting and washable eplilation head Its hair lifting attachment ensures that hairs are first lifted even the short ones for an extra close epilation The wavy massage system relaxes the skin for a gentle hair removal The extra shaving head and comb attachment perfectly fits the contours of the bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave

Bikini Perfect (HP6371)Featuring an ergonomic design for easy handling and two grooming attachments ndash the Bikini precise and gentle trimmer and the Bikini hygienic trimming comb ndash users can trim shape and style the bikini area as the

interchangeable heads are small and easily manoeuvrable allowing for great results and creativity in hard-to-reach areas

The Bikini Perfect can be used wet or dry and is rechargeable with one-hour use

All three products in the range are equipped with Philipsrsquo patented Mini-trim technology to provide highly flexible precise and visible yet gentle hair removal New Mini-trim is a patented solution that uses only four (instead of six) parts magnetically rather than spring-mounted The new technology offers more precision and control and increased visibility throughout the hair removal process

The Philips Body Perfect offers all-in-one personal grooming

The Philips Satinelle Soft Total leaves skin silky smooth for weeks

The Philips Bikini Perfect trims shapes and styles

Philips extends

to keep women looking gorgeousBikini Perfect range

Product Showcase

27Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 29: HGR - September 2009

The advent of least cost routing (LCR) and VOIP (Voice over IP) heralded an era of significantly reduced connectivity costs for multibranch retail stores that need to connect each store not only to their customers and suppliers but also to their head office and other branches But says Victor the benefits of these advanced LCR and VOIP technologies often come at an unexpected price in terms of connectivity quality and actual savings achieved

LCR takes advantage of the fact that landline-to-cell phone calls are expensive while cell-to-cell calls are considerably cheaper By installing an LCR solution calls to cell phones are automatically routed via a SIM in the LCR box over the least expensive connectivity option

ldquoThatrsquos the theory and it works well in environments with high call volumes because charges for LCR solutions are usually based on bundles of minutes negotiated with a cellular network operatorrdquo Victor explains ldquoBut if a branch doesnrsquot utilise sufficient minutes to qualify for bundle rates LCR might not be as cost-effective as expected or desiredrdquo

Consequently growing numbers of retailers have turned to VOIP solutions They direct their branchesrsquo voice traffic over their IP network to the head office-based LCR router so as to benefit from call economies of scale ndash higher call volumes translate into lower per minute bundle charges

Victor points out however that the quality of VOIP calls is seldom comparable to that of landline telephony calls ldquoThrow in the suspect quality of cell phone calls and the VOIP solution could result in degraded call quality Additionally the volume of voice traffic over the retailerrsquos IP network may lead to severe bandwidth congestion negatively affecting data traffic as well Investing in more bandwidth is expensive and could well wipe out any savings achieved from the LCR solutionrdquo

The answer he maintains is the implementation of a virtual LCR SIM solution

In a conventional LCR set-up the LCR device or router with the cellular network provider SIM is housed at the premises from where the calls are made In the VOIP scenario the SIMs are hosted centrally and the calls are routed over the IP network to the centralised LCRs in what is

often referred to as a ldquoSIM farmrdquoThe virtual LCR SIM scenario is similar in

that the SIMs are hosted centrally Thatrsquos where the similarity ends however

ldquoEffectively what happens in the virtual solution is that data about the SIM is transmitted over the IP network rather than the voice call itself The actual voice call breaks out to the cellular network from the location where the call originated rather than from the centralised site

ldquoRetailers therefore benefit from economy of scale savings on call volumes without suffering any degradation of call quality or the problems associated with a congested IP networkrdquo

As retailers with several branches continue to pay considerable sums for their telecommunications recent technological innovations such as least cost routing and voice over IP have not delivered the expected savings Graeme Victor of voice-based telecommunications solutions company Du Pont Telecoms explains why this is so and suggests solutions

Graeme Victor ndash a virtual LCR SIM solution the answer for retailers

Presenting a solution to soaring retail connectivity costs

Technology Focus

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 30: HGR - September 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture embraced the challenge of thinking along linear and lustrous lines when it came to establishing an exhibit concept for Decorex 2009

Focusing on the ldquonew fusionrdquo theme depicting the exotic yet homely old world entangled within a new world genre the retailer set out to deliver a picture-perfect setting

ldquoAppreciating the target market that frequents Decorex we wanted to create an experiential stand that captivated all the elements of the fushion themerdquo explains Ascot Bedding and Furniture CEO Leopold Dussing

Considering the concept of a room with a view the Ascot team created a picture frame showcasing the latest mattress and furniture for a bedroom that served as the

focal point in marketing and promoting the brand Attention to detail was key as each facet required in making up the eye-catching stand was thoroughly researched to communicate a message to Decorex visitors

Although the expo only ran over a four-day period the interest and popularity of the stand was well received by visitors and exhibitors In line with the theme of the Ascot stand each client was handed an Ascot presentation DVD that clearly outlined the companyrsquos services and product offerings

While the economic situation in South Africa dictates that customers hold tightly on to their purse strings Ascot Bedding and Furniture has maintained a consistent and steady growth in revenue says

Dussing ldquoOur recipe is to focus on service deliverables which often leads to repeat business We also align our company to opportunities such as Decorex where we know our product offering will meet our target marketrsquos needsrdquo

New sales director at Creative Housewares

In recognition of his consistent hard work over the years Creative Housewares has appointed Aidan de Vos sales director of the company

De Vos joined the small appliances manufacturer supplier and distributor in February 2005 when its stable consisted

of little more than one brand and 35 products Today this number has grown to seven brands and just under 200 products ldquoDe Vosrsquos relentless drive has been a significant contributor to this successrdquo says CEO Justin Fenn

De Vos modestly emphasises that his achievements are the result of teamwork and successful relationships with Creative Housewaresrsquo customer base His persistence which he describes as ldquodoggedness like a little bull terrier that grabs at your ankle and never lets gordquo has certainly sniffed out growth opportunities for the company resulting in exponential growth year on year

De Vosrsquos professional career began in the hardware retail industry from where he moved on to wholesale within the power tool sector After eight years he felt it was time for a change and joined Crea-tive Housewares as regional sales manager for Gauteng and surrounding areas

De Vos believes there are three pillars to ensuring future growth within Creative Housewares ldquoSurrounding ourselves with dynamic out-the-box thinkers striving to do things differently in the market and maintaining the grouprsquos energetic approach to product category and brand expansion programs This will ensure that Creative Housewares continues to

provide stylish yet affordable lifestyle enhancing products that add value to consumersrsquo lives

ldquoMy hope is for Creative Housewares to excel at a growth rate that exceeds our current planrdquo he continues ldquoI would like to see the staff grow with the company ndash and have fun while doing so ndash and I want to ensure that we at any given time have a staff complement with the necessary skills and tools in place to continue with the expansion programme should any one of our team move onrdquo

LG appoints new CE director

LG Electronics has welcomed Ryan Hooker to the company as its consumer electronics director

Hooker was previously with PepsiCo International where he worked for 14 years He brings with him a wealth of experience gained particularly from the beverage industry with portfolios that included sales marketing and special projects

People on the move

Ascot Bedding and Furniturersquos stand at Decorex 2009

Ascot Bedding and Furniture adds freshness to fusion at Decorex

Ryan Hooker ndash LGrsquos new consumer electronics director

Aidan de Vos ndash new sales director at Creative Housewares

Gallery

29Home Goods Retailer ndash September 2009 |

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 31: HGR - September 2009

Life in the home is changing The distinc-tions between kitchen and living room and bathroom and bedroom are becom-ing increasingly fluid Factors such as light-ing textiles and accessories are becoming more significant in the new furnishing worlds As a furnishings trade fair imm co-logne 2010 will impressively present these

trend themes from 19-24 January and all indications are pointing to a success-ful trade fair

Registration is looking good despite the difficult

situation in the industry ldquoWe are currently assuming that we will again have around 1000 exhibitors from over 45 countriesldquo says Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Boumlse ldquoGermany needs a strong leading trade fair and that is imm Cologne which in the coming years is set to be Europersquos most cutting-edge furnishings and interior design trade fair By fulfilling all market-oriented criteria it offers optimum prerequisites for business and networking on an international scaleldquo

Visitors will find a completely new accentuation of the design theme in Pure Village in hall 32 Here the trade fair is creating a stage where exclusive design objects and creative interior design

concepts will be presented with equal impact In hall 32 the highlights from the trade ranges including lamps and textiles will come together in the direct vicinity of the furniture in the Pure segment (hall 11) and the ideas of the Forum d3 Design Talents (hall 31)

Hall 9 has grown continuously in recent years with the ldquosleeprdquo area Important new exhibitors have been gained in mattress manufacturers Houben Bico and Swissflex A central component of the hall is again the presentation of the Trade Association of the Mattress Industry which will declare the ldquoYear of Good Sleeprdquo at imm cologne

In halls 5 6 and 10 imm Cologne will show the entire range of upholstered furniture in comfort For the first time the entire Steinhoff group will be presented at the event Particularly in the consumer-ori-ented area of the trade fair visitors will see new marketing concepts that will give the right impetus even at the point of sale

As a TV show Grand Designs brings stylish yet accessible home renovation and design solutions to viewers around the world A massive international hit millions of enthusiasts tune in to watch some of the most impressive and ambitious household projects come to life Now the magic of this series is coming to Johannesburg ndash Grand Designs Live is an exhilarating exhibition that covers it all Built on the success of the multi-award winning UK consumer event Grand Designs Live takes place at the Coca-Cola Dome from 21-23 May 2010 The event promises to give South Africans the opportunity to be inspired amazed and intrigued by the vast number of ways to turn a house into a home

ldquoGrand Designs is not only a long-running TV programme itrsquos become a formidable international brand recognised by people all over the globerdquo explains Grand Designs Live exhibition director Ben Gannon ldquoThis initiative will make the exhibition something truly special and will spark some great ideas for visitors to create unique improvements in their own homesrdquo

Featuring hundreds of South Africarsquos

leading companies a comprehensive seminar programme advice clinics hosted by leading industry organisations and fantastic features Grand Designs Live will be so much more than a deacutecor and design exhibition it will set a new standard for innovation and inspiration A comprehensive guide through the ins-and-outs of household improvement Grand Designs Live will have a host of different shows under one roof with six dedicated areas showcasing the best in interiors technology buildDIY kitchens

bathrooms and gardensldquoExhibition space is only available to

participants with exceptional products or who are established leaders in the fields being exhibitedrdquo Gannon continues ldquoThis is to ensure that a superior experience is enjoyed by both exhibitors and visitors to the eventrdquo

ldquoGrand Designs Live is going to be something totally freshrdquo promises Gannon ldquoExpect a whole range of new opportunities designs innovations and concepts And expect it to be the bestrdquo

Grand Designs Live has made an indelible mark on the hundreds of thousands of people who visited the show in London and Birmingham Now itrsquos Johannesburgrsquos turn

Grand Designs Live coming to SA

imm Cologne ndash Germanyrsquos top international furniture platform

As the first event on

the global trade fair calendar imm Cologne

offers the best prerequisites for introducing new products to an international audience

Diary

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200930

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 32: HGR - September 2009

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Home Goods Retailerpdf 15072009 112811

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 33: HGR - September 2009

Value for money must be the mantraItrsquos been a long hard bitter grind these last months The recession which we were once assured by the local lsquoexpertsrsquo would be lsquoshallowrsquo and not too destructive has proven almost intractable Unemployment figures continue to rise and despite the slashing of interest rates over successive monetary policy meetings consumers have stubbornly refused to bite Once bitten and all that hellip

So retailers have had to endure some of the toughest economic conditions for many many years Even such industry stalwarts as Furnex one of the top buying groups has been a sad casualty Recessions however and this one is no exception offers opportunities to those who are simply more cost efficient and marketing orientated

Value for money ndash that is and has been the name of the game And those retailers which have demonstrated awareness of this fundamental requisite have stood out over the competition In general consumers want to buy the best they can afford However as the belt tightening process has increased in tempo so consumers have been forced to look for products which although not the most desirable brand yet which offers genuine quality at a competitive price And backed up by the best service possible

Aspirational products have been put on the back burner ndash temporarily we would hope ndash and those retailers who have understood this trend and acted on it have been the most successful Nevertheless the nature of the beast remains market share and South African retailers have been obsessed with this forever Today this cannot be pursued at all costs Not if a retailer wishes to remain viable

Durable goods sales have declined substantially so now is the time for focused marketing and value for money Deals with stressed suppliers can be made for the benefit of the consumer the retailer and the supplier It can and should be done

Nevertheless there are comforting signs that the rate of decline is slowing quite rapidly Salaries have been increased by between 8 and 10 lower inflation and interest rate cuts augur well for Christmas Looking globally there is every reason to feel we are slowly very slowly pulling out of the recession Our economy is tied in with consumer spend so Christmas is a good time for retailers and suppliers to combine to offer deals which consumers find impossible to refuse

Ian Hughes

Publishers Comment

| Home Goods Retailer ndash September 200932

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 34: HGR - September 2009

Telephone (012) 333‑316234 Fax (012) 333‑6453 32 Eland Str Koedoespoort Pretoria 0186

Park Avenue BRS

Park Avenue Plasma Unit

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY

Page 35: HGR - September 2009

Simple hellip Choose Riegut Marketing

Buy a Riegut MaRketing pRoduct today and put MoRe Money into youR pocket

bull Proven track record of sourcing best sellers year after year after hellip

bull No need to commit to huge stock quantities because Riegut Marketing holds excess stock for you in our huge warehouse

bull You ring and Riegut Marketing will bring

bull No long forward order planning required at Riegut Marketing

bull Riegut Marketing order book never closes

bull Fiercely competitive prices

bull Riegut Marketing exclusive products allow you to make a better profit margin

bull Personalized customer service before and after we sell to you

bull Riegut Marketing promises timeous delivery countrywide

bull New bigger and better ranges arriving soon

SHOWROOM FACTORY

Corner Kelvin amp Bunsen Street Industria Johannesburg Tel +27 (0) 11 474 6738 middot 0861 RIEGUT (743488) middot Fax +27 (0) 11 474 9590 E-mail salesriegutcom middot Web wwwriegutcom

RIEGUT MARKETINGMR RIEGUT MARKETINGMR

HOW TO IMPROVE CASH FLOW AND INCREASE PROFITABILITY