September 2011 )PNF(PPET3FUBJMFS Designed With Stunning Taste In Mind A Sign Of Good Things Yet To Come Russell Hobbs Allure Range The new Allure Range from Russell Hobbs is where contemporary style meets chic simplicity to create an aesthetically pleasing kitchen. With the easy to use Russell Hobbs Allure Coffee Maker, Kettle, 2 Slice Toaster, Mini Ball Chopper, Jug Blender, Hand Blender, Mixer and Salt and Pepper Mill at your fingertips, you’re destined to enjoy an elegant kitchen experience. And when your guests see the Russell Hobbs logo embossed on each Allure appliance, For more information, phone 011 267 3300 THB/33115/HGR they will know that they are in for a rare treat. or visit www.russellhobbs.co.za 33115_ad19_hgr.indd 3 2011/09/23 11:20 AM Contents September 2011 Newsline Small Domestic Appliances South Africa improves its global competitiveness 4 SDAs on upward trend in Europe 21 Kronotex appoints Aluvert as wholesaler in SA 6 Small appliances hold their ground in local market 23 HP partners with Dion Wired to open store-in-store 6 SodaStream joins in the fight against breast cancer 23 Tedelex acquires distribution company 7 Not all coffee makers are created equal 24 First new-look Hi-Fi Corp opens in Centurion 7 Luxury pressure cooker defines simplicity 24 Retail confidence still restrained, survey reveals 8 Best tasting chips without the oil 25 Wintec Solutions acquires distribution rights for three new brands 10 Product Showcase Hisense drives sales with a z-card 10 Four new colours added to Van Dyck Diplomat Unilever named SA's best large-sized and FMCG range 26 employer 11 Electrolux brings a sense of luxury to everyday Closed loop cash system attracts attention 11 cooking 26 400th Clicks store opens in KZN 12 Toshiba unveils world’s first glasses-free 3D laptop 27 Massmart results indicate possible improved Kodak brings innovative consumer inkjet printers consumer environment 12 to SA 27 Newsline International Fair Report Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi agree on small LCD business IFA 2011: Retailers and industry confident of good merger 13 end-of-year business 28 HP dumps tablets, phones, computers and CEO 14 Samsung, Apple tablet row heats up in Australia 14 Diary Samsung receives top rankings in sustainability Thousands expected at debut India International index review 15 Furniture Fair 30 Electrolux acquires Chilean appliance company CTI 15 Australian International Furniture Fair returns World furniture outlook – report now available 17 in 2012 30 Special Report Publisher's Comment Philips journeys across Africa to improve access to What is leadership? 32 mother-child care, solar lighting 16 Talking Points SA business not exempt from global financial crisis 18 5 1122 1177 2288 HGR Team Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Ian Hughes Email: [email protected] )PNF(PPET3FUBJMFS Editor Aurette Bowes A slight improvement, Email: [email protected] partnerships aplenty, and what's coming out of Berlin National sales manager Frances Venter The news that South Africa's global competitiveness ranking has improved somewhat Cell: 072 607 5134 since last year is encouraging, but the country continues to occupy a lower position Email: [email protected] than the 45th place it held in 2009. Although improvements in the accountability of private institutions, strength of investor protection and technological readiness have Design & Layout been made, clearly much work still needs to be done. Aurette Bowes The increasing number of partnerships currently being forged among industry Email: [email protected] players in the home goods market is noteworthy. HGR carries news on no fewer than four this month, including an acquisition, two distribution agreements and a retailer- Special Projects supplier partnership. It indicates a positive sentiment in the industry, despite a recent Taryn Haley BER survey indicating "restrained" retailer confidence. Email: [email protected] That said, our Talking Points column warns local businesses they are not immune to the current global financial crisis, and need to take appropriate steps to ensure their Administration & Subscriptions company does not fall prey to the volatile economic climate. Loveness Banda The above articles, together with a special report on Philips' recent Africa roadshow, Email: [email protected] a comprehensive feature on the state of the small domestic appliances market – both locally and internationally – and feedback on the latest home appliances trends Office emerging from the recent IFA trade show in Berlin make for a cover-to-cover-read 203 Melrose Place, Willowbrook Close, September issue. Melrose North Until October. PO Box 41632, Craighall 2024 Tel: (011) 447 9326, Fax: (011) 447 9838 Email: [email protected] www.hgr.co.za Printing Park Avenue Sattar Motani Copyright on all editorial in Home Goods Retailer is owned by the publisher and reproduction without permission is It was with deep dismay that HGR learned of the recent and untimely death of Sattar prohibited. The opinions expressed in Home Goods Retailer are not necessarily the views held by the editor or publisher. Motani. Sattar was a true stalwart of the furniture industry, a co-founder with his brother We reserve the right to edit – for purposes of space and Omar of the hugely successful Motani Industries, and subsequently the proprietor and clarity – all editorial material and letters submitted for publication. founder of Aristocraft, which he set up and ran with his son Faizel in response to the growing inability of local manufacturers to compete successfully with Far Eastern imports. Although Sattar had been ill for some time, it was understood that he was making Subscribe, connect significant progress, so his sudden relapse and death was a tremendous shock to his family and many friends. The industry will be the poorer for his passing. HGR will prepare and FAX 11 issues for publish a fuller and more comprehensive obituary on Sattar Motani in the October issue. your details to R264-99 011 447 9838 Make cheques payable to email Home Goods Retailer and post to PO Box 41632, [email protected] Craighall, 2024 Made for the South African home. Right here, at home. At Calgan, we pride ourselves in knowing value most is that our furniture is made on our South African customers better than South African soil. There is nothing quite like anyone else and that’s because we are one the South African spirit that proudly flows of them. Yes, the quality of our furniture through each one of our products. And it is exceeds international standards and yes, we this spirit that makes a Calgan suite truly feel offer the best price out there, but what we like home. Handmade in South Africa Newsline South Africa improves its global competitiveness South Africa has fared remarkably well in Report’s narrative, Matola remarks that the most recent World Economic Forum’s this is highly indicative of trust in South Global Competitiveness Index. Africa at a time when it is returning only First released in 1979 the annual slowly in many other parts of the world. Global Competitiveness Report has “These combined attributes make South evolved into the prime authority on Africa the most competitive economy in relative competitiveness among most the region.” of the world’s nations. Respondent In line with the improvement in South numbers have grown over the years, Africa’s overall ranking, its absolute score with the 2011-2012 report covering 142 remained at 4.3 (on a scale of one to countries and some 14 000 respondents. seven). After slipping nine places last year South Africa’s 50th overall ranking – from 45 to 54 – South Africa’s overall is sub-Saharan Africa’s highest. The ranking recovered to 50 in 2011-2012, country’s 54th position in 2010-11 was thanks mainly to impressive gains in not high enough to earn it the top accountability of private institutions, continental accolade because of Tunisia’s strength of investor protection and 34th place. However, owing to that technological readiness. country’s political upheaval it has slipped “Since these factors are categorised back to 40th. South Africa is second only by the World Economic Forum as to China among the BRICS economies. Miller Matola – the long-term outlook for sustainability issues, their superior “We could have fared considerably South Africa is highly positive. ratings are indicative of a highly positive better had we not lost further ground long-term outlook for the South African in the categories in which we scored competitiveness in South Africa is economy,” observes International poorly last year – labour policies, health improving at a pace ahead of that Marketing Council CEO Miller Matola. The and education,” says Matola. “We need of many other countries. The World International Marketing Council of South to improve our rankings in these criteria Economic Forum derives about 60 per Africa was established in August 2002 if we are to continuously move up the cent of its score values from actual to help create a positive and compelling rankings. market data and 40 per cent from brand image for South Africa. “The results are an indication perception. That South Africa has scored Referring to the World Economic that the reality and perception of well on both counts is both highly gratifying and encouraging. “Of importance, too, is our third ranking for protection of minority shareholders’ interests,” Matola continues. “South Africa’s strong performance in the financial market and corporate governance dimensions is an indication that the country is deemed a safe destination for business and investment. This is a positioning the country will have to work hard to maintain amid florid debates about open market policies.” South African Institute of Chartered Accountants senior executive Ewald Müller says that these standings further enhance the country’s competitiveness in attracting foreign direct investment.