Margaret Hirsch, Executive Director of the Hirsch’s Homestores Group holds a monthly virtual Property Workshop with viewers logging in from around the country to listen in on Zoom and FB Live.
Under discussion at the most recent Property Club, talk was the latest Trends in Interiors. Margaret’s Guest Speaker was another Margaret, Margaret Westerhof, Founder of Margaret Rose Interiors in Ballito.
Consumer trend to cocoon at home after lockdowns a boon for electronic appliance sector.
Spike in consumer home sales of small appliances, dishwashers and office equipment.
Massive growth in solar heating on the continent expected.
International home appliances maker Electrolux expects strong demand to continue as a result of the stay-at-home trend prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Murray Crow, Electrolux Managing Director for South Africa, who recently joined the firm, commented; “For so many of us, our homes aren’t just a place to live – they are offices, schools, gyms and so much more. With people spending so much more time at home, we are seeing a lot more interest in home improvements. It is our expectation that locally we will see positive growth in 2021 in terms of volume, price and product mix.”
With so much focus on the critical need to reduce humans’ impact on our planet, increased attention is being paid to reusing and recycling whatever is possible. This is resulting in greater technological advances than were previously thought possible.
One advance is in the field of plastic recycling, where plastic waste is being transformed into various fabrics and forms of astonishing quality.
After just a week of clearing up, shopfitting and replacing appliances, the Hirsch’s Superstore at Springfield Park that was looted and trashed by vandals in July, was up and running and ready for business. The Hirsch’s branch was amongst several stores in the area that were vandalized and looted in that dreadful week and was the first to re-open. Commented Margaret Hirsch (Executive Director of Hirsch’s) at the re-opening of the store. “We were determined to bounce back – and thanks to a massive staff and community effort, we have done so! I am so proud of our team and would like to thank everyone involved in helping to get us back to normal.”
By Ndagi Job Goshi, GM Liferay Africa
The battlefield to win your customers’ business is fraught with the opposition that only seems to grow more powerful by the day.
Customer experience leaders have been hard at work investing in beautiful UX, intuitive navigation, and winning strategies, but is that enough? Is there something that leaders are overlooking when it comes to creating a unique customer experience?
Customer experience is often and correctly thought of as “customer-facing” experiences. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind how important internal operations are to the success of these experiences.
No matter how nice your digital presence is or how well planned your strategies are, your customer experience will fall flat if the organisation’s internal operations are inefficient.
Consumer purchasing patterns have become far more complicated over the past 18 months with a plethora of devices and more points of sale as retailers constantly rework strategies that have changed with shoppers’ needs and desires. Finding the balance between physical store visits and on-line shopping, keeping up to speed with the latest trends, and with seasonal sales already creating a buzz – retailers have to be on their toes to keep pace.
Getting the right mix puts retailers and brands under pressure to seamlessly balance the blend of the in-store experience and the accessibility of ecommerce, bringing customers closer as off-line is on-line and on-line is off-line. So to, as we see a gradual up-tick in seasonal shopping marking the lead up to the holidays with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, at a glance retailers will need to get their supply chains and delivery systems in order; review additional payment options; have a purpose beyond the sale and ensure that a unique, exceptional customer experience is offered.
Adequate safety, quality and performance are no longer enough for consumers. They want electrical and electronic (EE) products that exceed their expectations, and in a connected world, they have the means to influence the way manufacturers and other consumers behave.
Our world is becoming increasingly connected. E-commerce and review sites have given consumers greater choice and the ability to influence the spending decisions of other buyers. It is estimated 93% of consumers will check online reviews before buying a new product.
Adequate safety, quality and performance are no longer enough for consumers. They want electrical and electronic (EE) products that exceed their expectations, and in a connected world, they have the means to influence the way manufacturers and other consumers behave.
Informa Markets, the organiser of Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF), the biggest industry show in Southeast Asia, has moved MIFF 26th edition from 1-4 September 2021 to 8-11 March 2022 due to the ongoing global pandemic. MIFF 26th edition will be held at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) and Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC). In the absence of the physical show in 2021, the 3rd edition of MIFF Online Exhibition, MIFF Furniverse, will take place in August 2021.
LG Electronics (LG) announces the international launch of LG Objet Collection, designed to meet the growing consumer demand for personalized, stylish and functional home appliances. Debuting as Furniture Concept Appliances at CES 2021, the LG Objet Collection’s Fridge and Freezer pair will debut in China, a market with already robust demand for LG premium appliances. Availability in key markets of Asia and Europe will follow soon thereafter.
Blurring the line between state-of-the-art home appliances and designer furnishings, the LG Objet Collection boasts a modern, minimalist design language that elevates and blends in effortlessly in any indoor environment. With a range of luxurious materials and subtle, sophisticated colors that can be mixed and matched according to preference, the collection provides a compelling way for customers to express their unique personalities tailored to suit personal tastes and the existing décor.
