Appliance Retailer October-November 2025

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Hands in pockets across the industry

At the 2007 Narta conference in San Francisco, the most memorable speaker was not one of the greatest boxers of all time Sugar Ray Leonard, but another fighter – former forensic policeman Peter Baines – who had been transferred to assist with the recovery efforts after the Boxing Day tsunami.

Baines told delegates that he had created a charity to assist with housing and caring for displaced Thai orphans who had lost their loved ones during the tsunami. The impact on the audience was so significant that by the end of the conference, Narta delegates had raised over $245,000 for the Hands Across The Water charity including cash and appliances to help build an orphanage. Hands Across The Water has just celebrated its 20th year and the organisation has now raised $40 million. The links to Narta remain with Kay Spencer performing the role of chairman and numerous appliance industry brands now supporting the organisation. The 20th anniversary dinner recently held in Sydney saw several competitors setting aside their rivalry to reach into their pockets to raise funds. Retailers including Camera House, Retravision, Betta, JB Hi-Fi and David Jones were joined by Panasonic, Electrolux, Fisher & Paykel, Smeg, Nespresso and Shark Ninja to raise another $130,000 in just a few hours.

Just days prior, the industry came together once again to support Bret Quinn – a former Smeg employee and proprietor of The Good Guys Campbelltown store in Sydney – who is suffering the debilitating Motor Neurone Disease (MND). In a rare example of industry support, representatives from both Harvey Norman

and the Narta group stood side by side to support Bret and his family and raise funds for the MonSTaR Foundation and MND research that receives no state of federal support. There were even tables purchased to support the event by individual supplier members of the appliance industry – that were paying with their own after-tax dollars – and not just their employer’s credit card.

While Winning Appliances was the only major Sydney-based retailer missing from the Bret Quinn event – it is worth remembering that John ‘Herman’ Winning, his business and his family are also significant contributors and philanthropists to industry causes as well as several artistic, sporting and cultural events – and often without requiring recognition and praise.

This industry is at its best when it parks the petty politics and point-scoring to be bigger than the sum of its individual parts. Collaborating and working together is an important part of business, but also the ability to come together for important projects that reside outside of the day-to-day fight for market share, turnover and profitability.

With the imminent excesses and financial successes for our industry from Black Friday, Christmas and Boxing Day around the corner – those with fortunes should always consider the less fortunate.

The Intermedia Group takes its corporate and social responsibilities seriously and is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance and to initiate additional CSR based projects and activities. As part of our company policy we ensure that the products and services used in the manufacture of this magazine are sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers. This magazine has been printed on paper produced from sustainably sourced wood and pulp fibre and is accredited under PEFC chain of custody.

PEFC certified wood and paper products come from environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests. PEFC/21-31-119

IN THIS ISSUE

22 Harvey Norman Commercial opens new Perth showroom

71 Cooling

With energy costs a major concern for many, it will be no surprise that energy efficiency was forefront of many consumers thinking, when it comes to their cooling product purchase. Energy efficiency and appliance quality sit high on cooling values.

Home Café

Consumers are seeking products that offer easy maintenance, a modern aesthetic, and a compact footprint. Cold brew functionality is a growing feature, offering greater versatility and aligning with evolving consumer preferences. 47 Christmas

Consumer spending is predicted to pick up heading into Christmas, bringing some muchneeded Christmas cheer to retailers and shoppers. Those tough economic conditions, cost- of-living pressures and inflation, that put a dampener on consumer spending over the past three years, seem to have abated.

55 Floorcare

Floorcare is one of the key growth categories within small appliances, not only in Australia but globally. Functionality remains a top priority for consumers, with models that combine vacuuming and mopping.

81

Wine Cabinets & Beverage Centres

Growth in the wine cabinets and beverage centres is coming from the growing trend to entertaining outdoors as consumers enhance their outdoor living space with wine cabinets and beverage cabinets.

88 Refrigeration

A Canstar Blue survey revealed that nearly 70% of Australians prioritise energy efficiency, with a shift towards 5-star energy-rated models.

WHAT’S HOT

103

Pick of the crop

Smeg launches e-BBQ – the future of outdoor cooking, Smeg Wins Canstar Blue 2025 Award for cooktops, ECOVACS Launches DEEBOT X11 with industry-first PowerBoost Technology, V-ZUG delivers SwissMade Perfection in Cooling.

TERRY SMART SHARES POTENTIAL NEXT MOVE AFTER JB HI-FI

JB Hi-Fi CEO Terry Smart has shared his potential next move after stepping down from the retailer on 3 October.

In an exclusive interview Terry Smart told Appliance Retailer he is “definitely retiring and hanging up the boots” and is not planning on continuing any fulltime employment after he leaves the retailer.

However, Smart remained open to possibilities when asked if he will look to join any boards as a director

“I have not ruled that out as yet,” he said.

In the interview, Smart reflected on his time in the industry and the relationships he has built.

“My time in the industry has been very positive, and we have always had great engagement with the suppliers we work closely with.”

Smart also shared his thoughts about Nick Wells – the former chief financial officer of the business that has now taken over as JB Hi-Fi CEO.

“Nick has been in the business for a very long time. He understands this business and it is in great hands. Nick is very personable and I know he will work well with the team and drive them in a positive way.”

Matt Moran leaves Philips to join Dyson

Matt Moran has ended one of the longest career lives at a single company in the industry after stepping down as managing director of Philips after 28 years with the business.

Moran has joined Dyson ANZ as managing director replacing Niall O’Leary who held the role since March 2022. When contacted by Appliance Retailer for a comment on Moran’s new role, a representative from the company said: “Dyson won’t be making an announcement or providing commentary on the appointment”.

Moran joined Philips in 1997 after graduating from a marketing degree at the University of Otago and was then relocated to work for Philips UK for four a half years.

Moran joined Philips Australia in January 2005 and became the youngest ever general manager for Philips Electronics when he was appointed in 2006 – taking over from Harry van Dyk.

Moran was appointed managing director of Philips Australia and New Zealand and general manager for health systems seven years ago. Prior to this he held the position of vice president and general manager of personal health ASEAN Pacific.

SAM ZALIN TO DEPART FISHER & PAYKEL AND RETURN TO BING LEE

Sam Zalin will return to Bing Lee in mid-November taking back his previous role within the business as Marketing and Merchandise Director.

Zalin left Bing Lee in November 2023 to take up the role of Vice President – Product at Fisher & Paykel in the USA.

Zalin previously worked at Bing Lee for over four years from 2019 to 2024 and prior to this had roles at e&s (13 months) including the opening of the e&s Preston store and Winning Appliances (almost six years).

Bing Lee general manager, Pete Harris told Appliance Retailer, he was looking forward to Zalin returning to the business.

“When Sam left Bing Lee, he left on good terms with myself, Lionel and the entire business. It was a great opportunity for him to move to the USA and experience life on the supplier side of the industry.

“We always left the door open and we are very happy for him to return to his previous role. The timing has worked out very well for Sam and for Bing Lee and we are very excited about the future,” Harris said.

In his role of Marketing and Merchandise Director, Zalin will be responsible for the marketing and buying functions for all Bing Lee stores and Bing Lee Premium Brands including La Cornue as well as the Miele Drummoyne store in Sydney.

Zalin was instrumental in the launch of the Signature Appliances store located at Willoughby in the affluent socio-economic area of the lower north shore of Sydney in March 2023 described by suppliers as premium and approachable.

Harris told Appliance Retailer that Zalin’s appointment will be an additional headcount for the business and all existing staff within both the marketing and merchandising teams are expected to remain with the business.

Samsung confirms leadership appointments

Samsung Electronics Australia director of consumer electronics, Phil Gaut, has confirmed two leadership appointments to its Home Appliances (HA) division.

Rachel Carter joined Samsung in August as Head of Department, Home Appliances. In her role, Rachel leads the HA Division across all categories, including refrigeration, laundry, vacuum and built-in cooking.

Rachel brings extensive leadership experience in strategy, account management and sales and marketing across a variety of sectors, including Retail, FMCG and IT. Most recently, Rachel was General Manager APAC for SFI Health.

Jessica Valiukas is joining Samsung in September as Head of Product,

Home Appliances. In her role, Jessica will be responsible for leading the HA division’s Go To Market strategy for all product categories. Jessica joins Samsung from SharkNinja, where she was a Senior Product Manager. This followed earlier roles with Fisher & Paykel Appliances and Kirby HVACR.

Gaut, who was appointed earlier this year to replace Jeremy Senior, says these appointments will prepare Samsung for an exciting phase of growth.

“Samsung is excited to have Rachel and Jessica join our Home Appliances team. They are both customer focused individuals with exceptional experience, drive and a proven ability to positively disrupt,” Gaut said.

JEREMY SARGEANT APPOINTED HEAD OF RETAIL SALES AT SAMSUNG

Samsung Electronics Australia has appointed Jeremy Sargeant, Head of Retail Sales – Consumer Electronics division; a newly created role tasked with driving sustained sales growth and retail transformation across Audio Visual and Home Appliance categories.

Sargeant joins Simon Howe – Director, Audio Visual and Rachel Carter, Head of Department – Home Appliances on Samsung’s Consumer Electronics senior leadership team, headed by Phil Gaut, Director, Consumer Electronics.

Transitioning to Samsung with a strong industry pedigree,

Sargeant brings extensive retail, sales and operational experience to the role. He will focus on building and executing best-inclass cross-category retail and training experiences to highlight Samsung’s unique position as Australia’s most trusted consumer electronics brand.

Chris Kotis leaves Hisense to join V-Zug as MD

Former Hisense vice president – sales and marketing for Australia and New Zealand, Chris Kotis has joined V-Zug as the new managing director for Australia and New Zealand.

Kotis shared a comment on his new appointment with Appliance Retailer, that commenced in mid-October.

“I’m truly honoured to take on this exciting new challenge of Managing Director for V-Zug in Australia and New Zealand. I hope to leverage the experiences I have gained over the years representing some incredible brands, and I look forward to being able to lead the V-Zug business into its next phase of growth and innovation,” Kotis said.

“During my time with Hisense Australia and New Zealand, I’ve been energised by the opportunity to contribute to a business that continues to innovate, evolve and grow. I’m confident I’ve played my role in helping set the foundation for future success, and I’m proud of what we have achieved with my team and our partners. I wish the Hisense team continued success,” Kotis said.

Prior to joining Hisense in February 2024, Kotis was sales director at Miele Australia for eight years under MDs Sjaak Brower and Yves Dalcourt and has also held senior roles at Bosch and Pioneer Electronics.

Kotis replaces Nic Naes who announced his departure after seven years in the role.

“Chris brings more than 20 years of exceptional leadership experience in the premium appliance and consumer electronics industries. In his previous roles, he was instrumental in developing and executing long-range strategic plans for both retail and commercial business. We are confident that his vision and deep understanding of consumer insights will be invaluable as he leads our ANZ operations into their next phase of growth and innovation,” said V-Zug chief international officer, Alberto Bertoz.

Narta and Harvey Norman support Bret Quinn and Motor Neurone Disease

The appliance industry has come together in a rare display of unity to raise much-needed funds for research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND) at the Bret Quinn Gala Dinner in Sydney.

For the first time in many years, both Narta and Harvey Norman retailers were side-by-side in attendance at the same event to support with Winning Appliances the only major group missing from the room featuring hundreds of attendees. Retailers represented included multiple tables from Narta head office, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys and Bing Lee.

Among the suppliers in attendance were multiple tables costing $2,500 each booked by major companies including Smeg, Beko, Fisher & Paykel, Electrolux and Worldwide Appliances at Castle Hill RSL in Sydney on Friday 26 September.

According to Smeg channel manager, Mark Churcher, over $100,000 was raised from the generous donations and bids received from auction items on the night.

The special event was dedicated to raising money for research into MND which receives no state or federal funding and relies on philanthropy and donations.

The event, hosted by the MonSTaR Foundation was in honour of Bret Quinn who is currently living with MND. Quinn was previously a proprietor at The Good Guys in Campbelltown in western Sydney for 11 years and also worked at Smeg for seven years before being diagnosed with MND in late 2023.

“MND has turned my world upside down. I went from being active and independent – cooking, skiing, camping and travelling, to now needing full-time assistance. My wife Roz and I had plans to travel once our youngest finished school in 2024, but those dreams have been put on hold,” Quinn said.

“In just 16 months I have gone from walking to now being in a wheelchair full-time and reliant on equipment and support for daily life.”

Once active and independent, Bret now requires full-time assistance but continues to take part in research and clinical trials in the hope of helping others. AR

To support Bret Quinn and MND research, please donate to the MonSTaR Foundation.

Haus Group promotes Matty Searle to support business growth

Haus Group, the parent company of Whispair Rangehoods, Spezialist and PITT Cooking has appointed Matty Searle as General Manager for the business in Australia and New Zealand.

Haus Group owner Dane Hocking told Appliance Retailer why Searle was selected to be promoted within the business.

“With our continual expansion both here in Australia with the additions of PITT Cooking and Spezialist along with our regional expansion in Asia and North America, has meant the time is right to hand the day-to-day reigns of our ANZ business over to Matty. He is a tremendous leader within our business and already works very closely with our retail and commercial partners.”

Searle said he was very proud to take the new leadership role within the business.

“I am incredibly grateful to Dane and Nadine for entrusting me with

this opportunity. Haus Group stands at a pivotal point in its journey – well positioned and energised for the next phase of growth. Our family-based culture means that this business is more than just work; Haus is a meaningful part of my life. I am both honoured and humbled to step into this role and help guide our team into the future.”

Haus Group has also confirmed the appointment of a new staff member to its marketing team.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Amy Dicarla as our Marketing Coordinator,” Hocking said.

“Amy will play a pivotal role in enhancing our marketing initiatives and elevating our portfolio of brands.”

In addition to launching Spezialist cooking surfaces in 2024, Haus has purchased part of the PITT Cooking business in Holland becoming the distributor for the brand in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

TRISTAN PETERS REJOINS ILVE AS CEO

Tristan Peters has departed Andi-Co and has been appointed the new CEO of ILVE in Australia and New Zealand.

Prior to joining Andi-Co, Peters previously worked at Eurolinx – the former distributor of ILVE – as national sales manager.

Peters said improving the brand’s retail presence was a key priority as well as spending time to re-vitalise and strengthen the sales team including making new appointments in key areas of the business.

“This move is more than just a new chapter – it's a return to a brand I’ve had the privilege of working with for nearly two decades.”

APPLIANCES ANNOUNCES SENIOR APPOINTMENTS

Worldwide Appliances, the distributor of brands including Artusi, Fhiaba, Fulgor Milano, Steel, Everdure, Robinhood and Omega Altise, has confirmed the appointment of two senior appliance executives to the team.

Evan Manolis has joined Worldwide Appliances in a newly created role of Trade Marketing & New Product Integration.

Manolis has extensive industry experience including previous roles at Tempo Group, Etisalat, Optus, Samsung, Panasonic and Hitachi.

Worldwide Appliances CEO Michael Doyle first worked with Manolis 19 years ago at Hitachi.

“Evan has a strong track record in product marketing, brand management, category growth, and go-to-market execution across consumer electronics and home appliances,” Doyle said.

“His global perspective and proven delivery on large-scale launches will be a valuable asset to the business. Evan’s role at WWA will be driving market impact, execute the integration of new products across WWA’s categories & selling the consumer

experience as well as strengthen go-to-market execution and readiness for Artusi’s next generation of products as well as seasonal brands.”

Worldwide Appliances has also appointed Leah Demos to the newly created role of Premium Brand After Sales & Commercial Support Specialist.

“Leah brings deep industry experience across multiple roles. Her appointment strengthens our commitment to after sales experience and customer support as well as supporting our sales teams across retail and commercial,” Doyle said.

“She will play an integral role across WWA’s Premium Brands of Fhiaba, Fulgor Milano and Steel’s after sales UX. This role allows our sales teams to better focus on working with our partners to drive results and maximise opportunities.”

Doyle said he is excited to announce these two key appointments that strengthen the company’s resources across go-to-market, trade marketing, after sales and premium customer experience.

“As we continue to grow, we’re investing in people that provide a culture that allow us to provide impactful executions and a better experience to customers and partners. Evan and Leah bring the expertise and energy that will help us build the next chapter of Worldwide Appliances,” Doyle said.

THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIC

Designed for discerning homeowners who value precision, safety, and style, the Smeg e-BBQ delivers the ultimate outdoor cooking experience.

LAUNCHING 1 NOVEMBER 2025

BEKO PROMOTES HODGSON TO STRENGTHEN BUSINESS

Beko has promoted Andrew Hodgson to Field Sales Manager to strengthen its sales operations and enhance support for retail partners.

Hodgson, who will continue as Key Account Manager for Bing Lee, will now lead Beko’s Australian field sales team, reporting to National Sales Manager Eddie Gaymer.

“Andrew has been with Beko for over six years and, during this time, has made a significant impact on our business and our people,” Gaymer said.

“He has consistently supported new team members, generously shared his knowledge and insights, and shown unwavering passion for the brand – a passion that has been instrumental to our growth.”

Before joining Beko, Hodgson worked at Appliances Online as an Engine Room Team Leader. He later became a Territory Manager and was appointed Key Account Manager in 2022.

Beko is currently recruiting for a new Territory Manager in Victoria as part of its strategy to bolster its sales division.

Billi promotes Nicholls to Group MD

Billi has promoted Guy Nicholls to Group Managing Director from Managing Director for Asia Pacific, a role he held for the past 10 months. Nicholls brings over 30 years of executive experience. His previous roles include CEO at RPM Automotive Group, General Manager of Oceania at Rain Bird Corporation, Interim General Manager of Commercial at REDARC Electronics Pty Ltd, CEO of Ryco Group at Amotiv, and General Manager of ANZ for Ryco Group at GUD Holdings Ltd.

Under Nicholls’ leadership, Billi relocated its Australian headquarters and manufacturing operations to a new state-of-the art facility.

“This move reflects Billi’s commitment to building the foundations needed to deliver on its purpose – helping people and workplaces tap into better living through intuitive, sustainable hydration solutions,” the company said.

“As part of this next chapter, Guy has focused on strengthening the leadership team across key regions and departments.”

Meanwhile, Billi has also appointed Christy Minutoli as Marketing Manager ANZ and Dean Cook as Director of Sales ANZ.

In the UK, the company has designated Graeme Rodger as head of marketing.

“We have a strong brand, an incredible team and a clear opportunity to grow. I’m looking forward to working with our teams around the world to build on our momentum and take Billi into its next chapter,” said Nicholls.

Zip Water announces leadership changes

Zip Water, part of the Culligan Group, has announced a series of leadership changes aimed at supporting growth and aligning its Asia-Pacific and international operations.

John Doumani, President of Culligan APAC and Zip International, has stepped down from his executive role after a decade with the business. During his tenure, Doumani oversaw strategic expansion, innovation initiatives and business transformation.

While retiring from day-to-day operations, Doumani will remain involved with the company as Chairman of Zip Global, focusing on aligning and promoting Zip’s operations across Culligan’s global network. He will continue to report to the President and Group CEO.

Mike Abbott, currently Managing Director of Zip Water ANZ, has been appointed President of Culligan ANZ and Zip International.

Abbott, who joined the business in 2020 as Marketing and Strategy Director for Zip ANZ, became Managing Director in 2022 and has overseen strategic growth and commercial performance. In his expanded role, he will lead Culligan Australia and Zip UK alongside his current responsibilities.

ILVE AUSTRALIA MARKETING DIRECTOR DEPARTS

ILVE Australia marketing coordinator Maggie McCagh has left the organisation after 19 months in the role.

McCagh joined ILVE Australia in March 2024 following the decision by the parent company to create a dedicated subsidiary in January 2024.

In July this year, ILVE Australia confirmed it is committed to the local market with a series of new staff appointments as well as the fitout of a new head office in Sydney.

The new ILVE Australia showroom will be located on Moore St in Leichhardt – the same street as the former distributor of the brand Eurolinx.

ABOVE: BSR held its 2025 national conference at Crown Perth with over 350 retailers and suppliers in attendance.

BSR ‘Better Together’ at 2025 conference in Perth

Over 350 delegates gathered for the Betta Stores Retail (BSR) 2025 Conference & Buying Expo at Crown Perth with the theme ‘Better Together’.

“As the business landscape continues to evolve, it’s important that we come together to share how our group will continue to define its future and embrace the opportunities ahead,” said BSR CEO Gavin Carter.

“Over the coming days, you will experience a comprehensive agenda featuring engaging guest speakers, informative management presentations, and valuable networking with fellow members and suppliers. This year also brings the opportunity to participate in exclusive meetings during the Buying Expo and Showcase – designed to help you secure competitive deals for the months to come,” Carter said.

BSR Executive Chairman of the Board, Graeme Cunningham reflected on the theme of resilience from the group’s conference at Singapore in 2024 and how the local and global conditions have changed over the last 12 months with green shoots now appearing.

“Going forward we have a very solid plan being led by Gavin Carter and the team,” Cunningham said.

“There will be a lot of talk this week about Artificial Intelligence and how it affects our lives and affects our businesses as well as the importance of data and accurate data and we will reinforce this over the coming days.”

KEYNOTE SPEAKER – STEVEN KOUKOULAS

Stephen Koukoulas, managing director of Market Economics, addressed delegates with some good news in an optimistic presentation titled “The Consumer Come Back – It’s On!”. In his presentation, Koukoulas said there are several turning points with higher retail spending and consumer confidence while the global economy remains fragile with tariff wars, geopolitics and concerns over government debt levels. He said inflation is now on target with interest rates forecast to decrease by up to 1% over the next 12 months. He also said Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland lead retail spending growth while wage growth is feeding into a steady recovery into household incomes.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER – JASON ROSS

Generative AI expert Jason Ross and co-founder of consultancy Time Under Tension provided delegates with an eye-opening presentation.

Ross discussed AI-driven technology that will change how we conduct our personal and business lives including pilotless drone taxis, Tesla robotaxis that will not only change how products and people move about but may also earn additional revenue for owners while they are asleep.

“THE VALUE OF DATA IS DECREASING IF WE ALL HAVE ACCESS TO THE SAME THING, IT THEN BECOMES ABOUT HOW YOU USE IT.”

– Jason Ross, Time Under Tension

Worrying some retailers in the room were buying agents that monitor and track online shopping sites to activate a purchase when certain pricepoints are hit – without any human interaction using transactions with pre-approved credit cards.

“We are optimistic with where AI is taking us,” Ross said.

Generative AI has evolved to now provide assistance using agents across text generation, image generation, audio generation, video generation and code generation.

Ross demonstrated the power of Generative AI with the creation of a BSR Conference song that was produced within minutes and outlined the features of the newly released ChatGPT5 and how it is able to search for products for consumers with AI shopping agents.

“Search is changing – consumers are shifting their browsing habits to ChatGPT. This is changing how customers research products and new ways that customers can browse products and also make things better and easier for employees,” Ross said.

ChatGPT is now the fastest growing app in history with nine million ChatGPT monthly visitors in Australia compared to 7.9 million Amazon Australia customers in 2024.

Ross also discussed the importance of data analysis and the creation of deep research reports.

“The value of data is decreasing if we all have access to the same thing, so then it becomes not about getting the data it is about how you use it.”

Ross also discussed the Agentic Workforce and agents entering the workforce and what the impact will be on workforce of the future and confirmed that 2027 will be the year AI is predicted to achieve superhuman abilities.

BSR TO EXCEED $1 BILLION IN RETAIL SALES BY 2030

BSR CEO Gavin Carter outlined a five-year retail growth plan for the group at the 2025 national conference.

In an exclusive interview with Appliance Retailer, Carter shared an overall aspiration to exceed $1 billion of retail sales in the near future as well as a five-year retail growth plan. →

“BSR is back – bigger and stronger,” Carter said.

“We have remained undercover for some time while we have restructured the business foundations as well as our systems and processes, but together with my team we have put together a solid plan for the next five years.

“Our retail growth plan will see 25 new stores opened over the next five years nationally in specific strategic locations that we have already identified with a mix of franchised stores as well as joint partnership businesses similar to the arrangement we have in place with Whitfords Designer Appliances in Sydney.

“Our overall aspiration is to exceed $1 billion of retail sales in the near future led by our multi-brand retail offering including Betta, Designer Appliances and Furniture Zone as well as Stan Cash and Billy Guyatts. To achieve this goal we have implemented new systems across our business to become a much more efficient operation with an emphasis on investment within retail management, software systems, logistics and AI integration across all touchpoints.

“We are also looking to double our commercial business across the entire store network. We know this a huge growth opportunity for our business with increased commercial demand from new builds and our unique ability to service this part of the market with a broad significant geographical footprint.

“We have also developed a plan to double the online share of our total business – which will capitalise

on fulfilling customers in metropolitan areas while retaining our strength across regional Australia.”

Carter shared current business results for the business over the 12 months to 30 June – with units and value up year on year.

“Standout categories in the business were cooking, portable appliances, floorcare, furniture as well as IT and mobile.”

One of the highlights of the conference was an uplifting and motivational speech from Australian swimming coach Dean Boxall during dinner held at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Boxall – the coach of Olympic Gold Medallists Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O’Callaghan – shared the sacrifices, determination, discipline and commitment required to become a champion athlete.

Carter also discussed the importance of the buying expo for BSR suppliers held during the final two days of the conference.

“Our buying expo takes place twice a year to capitalise on key trading periods. Our stores have been enthusiastically securing key inventory for the upcoming trade period through to the end of the year including Black Friday and Christmas. We would like to thank our suppliers for partnering with us along this journey of change and growth.

“Overall this has been a very positive conference and the feedback from members and suppliers has been it is one of the best yet – the theme Betta Together perfectly represents the future of our group.” AR

BSR Store of the Year Awards

The winners of the BSR Store of the Year Awards for the 2024 calendar year were:

Club Betta Store of the Year 2024

Winner: Pimpama Betta

TopGun Warranty Salesperson of the Year 2024

Winner: Kennedy’s Betta

Community Spirit Award 2024

Winner: Kempsey Betta

National Furniture & Bedding

Retailer of the Year 2024

Winner: Townsville Betta

National Designer Appliances

Retailer of the Year 2024

Winner: Adelaide Designer Appliances

Betta - State Retailer of the Year 2024 (QLD)

Winner: Balonne Betta

Betta - State Retailer of the Year 2024 (NSW)

Winner: Ulladulla Betta

Betta - State Retailer of the Year 2024 (VIC/TAS)

Winner: Ciavarellas Betta

Betta - State Retailer of the Year 2024 (SA/NT)

Winner: Berri Betta

Betta - State Retailer of the Year 2024 (WA)

Winner: Narrogin Betta

Betta - National Retailer of the Year 2024

Winner: Balonne Betta

The 2025 BSR Conference wrapped up with a gala dinner attended by over 350 guests to celebrate its Store of the Year Awards.

Addressing the attendees at the dinner held within the Crown Perth Ballroom, BSR CEO Gavin Carter reflected on the importance of bringing together the industry for conferences and the opportunity to network with industry colleagues and connect with fellow retailers away from their day-to-day businesses.

“During the conference we have had some great keynote speakers and tonight is about letting our hair down – those that have hair,” Carter said.

“We have had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs together and also enjoyed the Supplier Expo and Showcase bringing everyone together as we head into this busy trading period of Black Friday and Christmas.

“I would like to thank all of our members and corporate store managers – you all run your own businesses and are very successful retailers and we could not be more proud of what you have achieved and what you do every single day for our customers out there and our brands.

“And to my team, you are my rock and we could not have achieved this without you – we have a lot of things coming ahead which is incredibly exciting and I couldn’t do it without the team that I have.”

Carter confirmed the BSR Conference will be held at Twin Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast from 17-21 August 2026.

Winners of the BSR awards received additional prizes including Visa Gift Cards, marketing contributions up to $5,000 for their store as well as complementary registrations to next year’s conference. AR

Harvey Norman hosts inaugural Major Domestic Appliance Expo

Over 240 Harvey Norman floor staff attended the inaugural Major Domestic Appliance Expo held in the last week of September at Rosehill Racecourse in Sydney.

The Major Domestic Appliance Expo included a showcase from the top Harvey Norman suppliers in four product categories – refrigeration, laundry, dishwashers and air conditioning.

Representing all Harvey Norman stores nationally, the floor staff were selected to attend by store proprietors and represented the lead salesperson in the categories on display at the Expo.

The two-day event was the first event of its kind and based on feedback is expected to become an annual event.

The format of the Major Domestic Appliance Expo followed the successful Harvey Norman Cooking Expo held in July which ran for the second time this year growing from 180 floor staff in attendance in 2024 to over 400 floor staff in 2025.

Harvey Norman general manager of major domestic appliances, Chris Coen, told Appliance Retailer these training events provide floor staff with knowledge that will translate into improved sales for the business.

“This is an experiential and hands-on opportunity for our floor staff to understand innovation within each of these major appliance categories. This will provide our teams with the information required to help us achieve our goals in the business over the next six months including the key sales periods across Black Friday and Boxing Day.

“Our suppliers have come prepared with information about their innovation pipeline and product stories to help drive ASPs which is our advantage when it comes to the assisted sales model.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to the suppliers. We had an overwhelming response to the Cooking Expo and a number of these suppliers were the first to say that they were in for this event and wanted the biggest stand possible. We believe with these events we have created a reputation for being able to deliver value for supplier partners and they are supporting this strategy which is fantastic.

“In my presentation to the sales staff, I mentioned that they are the key to our business executing and achieving the higher than market ASPs that we have been able to achieve consistently over time.

“We feel the next 18-24 months is critical for selling these appliances in packages to those consumers trading up as well as those in the renovation market. We are predicting there will be a cycling through of the large volume of purchases made during Covid and this is a huge opportunity for our sales staff in major appliances.

“The replacement market will always be there, but we see greater consumer confidence emerging and economists are all indicating the next move on interest rates will be down – and this will bring further discretionary funds into the wallets of consumers,” Coen said.

Harvey Norman business development manager – major domestic appliances, Iain Tennant told Appliance Retailer he was impressed by the investment made by suppliers in the Expo.

“THE TWO-DAY EVENT WAS THE FIRST EVENT OF ITS KIND AND BASED ON FEEDBACK IS EXPECTED TO BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT.”

“Our suppliers have created a lot of excitement for our sales staff – it feels like a mini IFA exhibition. We have timed this event to coincide with the launch of refrigeration season and air conditioning season as well as new models in the laundry category.

“This Expo is about bringing together our key suppliers as we approach the biggest trading period of the year and setting the tone for our business by getting our team match fit for this crucial retail sales period. We know we have the best salespeople in the industry, and we are making sure that we are investing in product knowledge going into these key selling periods.” →

Suppliers had this to say about the 2025 Harvey Norman Major Domestic Appliance Expo…

“There is no training event like this in the industry. We are using this Expo to spend time with the floorstaff – particularly the regional stores that we don’t have conversations with as frequently as the metro stores. We have introduced our new Diamond dishwashers under an agency system that will be coming to market shortly and we are using this opportunity to explain the features, benefits and patented technology. We don’t have Smeg dishwashers on every shop floor at Harvey Norman – so this is a good opportunity to educate the floor staff that can then go back to their proprietor and make a recommendation to include our product on the floor of their store.”

– Smeg Australia, national channel manager, Mark Churcher

“It has been great to be a part of the Harvey Norman Major Domestic Appliance Expo. Product training on Mitsubishi Electric products equips staff to deliver expert advice, boost sales, and confidence on the retail floor.”

– Mitsubishi Electric marketing and communications manager, Hale Mehmet

“The Harvey Norman Expo has given LG a great opportunity to connect with all the key salespeople who are in front of our customers every day. This event not only gives us an opportunity to showcase the key benefits of our products but also can give us an insight into our customers, what they are asking for and what they look for in our brand and products directly from the shop floors. We value the opportunity greatly to continue to build stronger partnerships with the Harvey Norman family.”

– LG sales director, Frank Malcaus

“This has been a great opportunity to demonstrate to the Harvey Norman floor staff our new freestanding dishwashers in stainless steel and black steel as well as our current laundry range.”

– Asko national sales manager – retail, Josh Hall

“We have been able to present our brand to the Harvey Norman floor staff and explain the evolution of our products. We have received a lot of good feedback from the audience to our refrigeration range – quad door, French door and side by side as well as our dishwashers matching the refrigeration.”

– Haier national key account manager – Harvey Norman, Jeff Punzalan

“This has been a great opportunity to speak with both experienced staff as well as new staff that have recently entered retailing for these categories. It has allowed us to discuss our technology and how artificial intelligence can be used to remotely update our products including the Bespoke AI washer and dryer and heat pump combo.”

– Samsung national product specialist, Jacky Glading

Bi-Rite Home Appliances hosts 2025 conference in Cairns

Bi-Rite Home Appliances brought together store owners, suppliers, and partners from across Australia for its 2025 National Conference, held at the Shangri-La The Marina in Cairns from August 23 to 25.

The event opened with a Welcome Dinner at Backyard, followed by Sunday’s plenary session themed Resilient By Nature.

CEO Abdul Kayum Sacur welcomed members and trading partners, addressing market conditions and industry challenges. Category Manager Tristan Ansley shared whitegoods and cooking insights, while Marketing Specialist Megan Holden-Wells and Marketing Manager Alayna Bullock outlined the expansion of Bi-Rite’s marketing program.

COO Hamza Hussein introduced Bi-Rite’s new electronic shelf label (ESL) initiative in partnership with Solum. Jason Busuttil of NARTA also presented The Rite Skills, a new online training platform for store teams.

The supplier showcase featured product launches and updates across major categories. Beko presented its nextgeneration front loaders with energy and water savings. Bissell unveiled the PowerClean Stick Vac range, while Breville highlighted growth in coffee and air treatment. CHiQ introduced unique refrigeration models, including a fridge drawer, alongside new washers.

Dreame made its debut in the Bi-Rite network with floor care and hair care technology. Electus highlighted 3D printing and mobile accessories.

Haier unveiled new French door fridges and laundry models with UltraFresh. LG showcased new TVs, audio products, and its A9L CordZero Stick Vacuums.

Mitsubishi focused on its glass-door fridges, while Panasonic demonstrated innovations across small appliances, air-conditioning, and personal care. Sunbeam presented its Origins espresso range and French Riviera Breakfast Series.

Spectrum Brands highlighted new products from Russell Hobbs and Remington, including SatisFry air fryers and AIRvive hair care.

Extended sessions were led by EHP, TCL, and Hisense. EHP showcased its new vacuum cleaners, refrigeration, and laundry models, including 3D Sense Heat Pump Dryers. TCL presented its 2025 Mini-LED TV range, energy-efficient appliances, and air-conditioning systems.

Hisense highlighted opportunities in largescreen TVs, refrigeration, and laundry, including its Side-by-Side refrigerator with ConnectLife Hub and 8i series front-load washer.

Sunday evening’s Gala Dinner, sponsored by Electrolux, saw Sacur and EHP’s Phil Russell announce that five stores would receive a year’s subscription and setup for ESL ticketing. Delegates also enjoyed networking and entertainment at The Sugar Shed in Yorkey’s Knob.

The conference concluded Monday with further trade show activity and closed workshops led by Bi-Rite’s category and marketing teams. Delegates praised the mix of industry insights, hands-on product engagement, and networking opportunities.

“The event was a good blend of industry insights, hands-on product experiences, networking and of course letting the hair down a bit at the Gala Dinner which was a highlight for me,” said Travis Wiley of Bi-Rite Wangaratta.

“The GOAT of Bi-Rite conferences! Really useful deep dive into market trends and stats and marketing initiatives. Good fun membership interactions and excellent content and presentations from suppliers. Loved seeing all the new models. And, in beautiful Cairns,” added Chantal Mortimer of Bi-Rite Boonah. AR

Harvey Norman Commercial opens new Perth showroom

Harvey Norman Commercial has opened a newly created showroom in Perth at Osborne Park.

The showroom features 1120 square metres of space across two floors with a third level providing 830 square metres of office space. A huge warehouse with 2550 square metres of space and 10 metre ceilings is the only commercial warehouse of its kind in the appliance industry in Perth.

Harvey Norman Commercial Perth proprietor, Shylo Goodman, told Appliance Retailer the new showroom represents one of the best fitouts across the entire company network.

“We are re-launching the Harvey Norman Commercial brand and we are looking to elevate our position in the WA market. Previously we didn’t have the right space to appeal to a premium and luxury market for builders, specifiers and architects.

The new showroom, also known as the Harvey Norman Commercial Selection Centre, is based around the corner from the former premises on O’Malley St that were operational for over 20 years. Despite being closed for almost eight months since the end of 2024, Goodman expects the lost trade to be made up quickly with several commercial customers already enthusiastically visiting the showroom even prior to its official opening.

Born and raised in New South Wales, Goodman started working in the Harvey Norman NSW Commercial warehouse in 1999 and worked his way up through the organisation before swapping offices with the former head of Harvey Norman Commercial in Perth David Cramond in 2023, when he took over from Alan Stephenson at Taren Point in Sydney.

THE ENTRANCE

“When visitors enter the showroom, we want visitors to immediately see best in class brands as well as experience a feeling of luxury. This is a space I am extremely proud of and represents years of cumulative effort from the team,” Goodman said.

“There has been a lot of thought that has gone into the small details such as the natural light coming into the front of showroom as well as strip lights to guide you along your journey. One of the design features is a circular Barrisol light fitting which a lot of consumers may not recognise – but interior designers will and that is our target market.”

For those that don’t know – a Barrisol light fitting features over 2000 LED lights covered in stretched fabric to deliver a flat even light.

Other effects that have been used to appeal to the interior designers and builders is the use of the labour-intensive French Wash painting technique that delivers a marble-effect on the walls as well as intriguing glimpses of other displays to allow you to see through to other locations in the showroom.

“These are design features that some people may not notice, but the designers that we are targeting will absolutely understand.”

THE RECEPTION

The by-appointment showroom features a reception counter with a La Pavoni coffee machine waiting to welcome guests to start their journey.

“We try and discourage people arriving without an appointment as we want to manage the number of people on site at one time. This is not a space for consumers to walk-in off the street – if a consumer is here they are only here because they are building or designing with one of our clients.

“All the showroom consultants are baristatrained so when they arrive at reception the consultant makes them a coffee as they qualify the client and find out whether they are aligned to a specific brand so they can be taken directly to the space rather than just roaming the showroom.”

THE JOURNEY

The showroom is split between two main floors with kitchen and laundry appliances located on the ground floor complemented by the second floor offering the best brands in bathroomware, water filtration and heating & cooling.

“We have maintained a strong focus on the customer journey right down to small details such as carpeting the staircase and installing a nice semi-frameless balustrade and warm lighting making these probably the best-looking fire stairs in Perth. We commissioned a well-known local street artist – Rachelle Dusting – to paint native flora and fauna murals in the staircase that are also carried through to our board rooms and working spaces on the third level.”

The top and bottom of the building are bookended with murals of NSW floral emblem – the Waratah – to represent the East Coast origins of the Harvey Norman business as well as the birthplace of its proprietor. →

THE GROUND FLOOR

One of the main features of the ground floor appliance area is a full demonstration kitchen located behind reception.

“Our demonstration kitchen features completely interchangeable cooking appliances with ovens and cooktops that can be swapped out using a captive plug system. This allows us to have different brands participating in different trade nights without having to constantly have tradespeople come in to change the products.”

One of the biggest differences between this Selection Centre and the nearby Harvey Norman retail store is the lack of signage or branding for each brand’s area.

“We have deliberately ensured there is minimal branding throughout particularly across pelmets and look-at-me style signage listing all of the features and benefits. The whole showroom is unguided differentiating itself from the type of displays in a traditional Harvey Norman store. Our customers are here because they are renovating or building a house – or two –or maybe even an entire block of apartments.

“We have tried to keep manufacturers with multiple brands together – such as Bosch, Siemens, Neff and Gaggenau; Fisher & Paykel and Haier as well as Electrolux, AEG, Westinghouse and Vintec – to help tell their stories.

“Unlike a retail store, it is not product heavy – it has been designed around the designer with a good representation of product without flooding it with every model in the range.

“A lot of effort has gone into the product selection with the manufacturers. Smeg is a good example as this is a brand that has so many different products – but here we have been able to show a strong representation of the brand portfolio with all of their design themes without actually showing all of the products.

“When it came to the displays, we designed the reception and demonstration kitchen, but the remainder of the branded areas we collaborated closely with the manufacturers. Some brands have very specific colour branding guidelines, while others such as Miele that are normally very strict with their execution decided to create an entirely unique palette for this showroom which has been very exciting.

“As a result we have delivered what we believe to be a very premium feel that is unlike a typical retail showroom. Our customers are not coming to purchase a builders pack with products between $400-$800 and as a result we start our product range at the mid-market. A good example is our rangehood display where all of our brands with off-board motors have a working model that we are able to demonstrate to customers. When you compare a rangehood with an off-board motor with an on-board motor and you explain they are both extracting the same 1600 cubic metres of air and ask which one would you rather have in your home – it is an easy upsell.

“Our specialist areas showcase rangehoods from Schweigen and Whispair as well as Sirius and Falmec. We also have brands from the Haus Group including Pitt and Spezialist, Haier, Omega and Technika.”

THE SECOND FLOOR

Bathroom fixtures including taps, basins and toilets are located on the second floor alongside room heating, underfloor heating, water filtration and even audio products. Key brands include Villeroy & Boch, Gessi as well as Zip taps, Kalfire, Rinnai, Real Flame and Planika heating systems.

Goodman also emphasises the importance of “thought-starters” with emerging categories such as home water filtration for every drop of water in the house being offered to customers who are looking for the latest technology to install during their renovation.

A large number of companies in the bathroomware category also offer Australian made products including taps and basins which also provides some customers with additional reassurance when it comes to warranties and fewer supply chain delays.

“People will pay more for Australian-made product if it is a quality product with designs that are unique,” Goodman said.

THE THIRD FLOOR

A large office area is located on the top floor of the building. “We have a beautiful office on the top floor that is probably one of the nicest working spaces within the Harvey Norman business and staff also enjoy basement car parking as well.

“It is important to me that the staff have somewhere nice to work. If you have a beautiful showroom there is no point having a tiny back office that is horrible for people to work in. The back office is very important for a commercial business as there is a lot of processing to support the salespeople out the front. The admin team is much bigger than a retail store with several coordinators working with site supervisors to ensure stock arrives directly to the building site.

“Glass partition walls feature a different sketch from artist Rachelle Dusting on the three offices and the boardroom fitted out with Autex acoustic panels and the latest conferencing technology which is also available for Harvey Norman customers to use. “There is additional space that has been made available for future expansion as well as a larger kitchen area to provide more space for staff interaction. The balcony space features a barbecue and smoker with outdoor furniture facing an edible garden that can be used by staff as well as the demonstration kitchen.”

THE WAREHOUSE

The new warehouse attached to the Harvey Norman Commercial premises in Perth offers 2550 metres of space with 10 metre ceilings that is managed and controlled by internal staff. The previous location had 1700 square metres of space with 6 metre ceilings and a firewall down the middle of the warehouse.

“We are the only commercial division in Western Australia with our own dedicated warehousing that we control ourselves with our own staff. We have installed a wire guidance system so that our pickers can steer themselves which means we don’t have to have a bottom shelf, allowing our fast-moving products to be located on the ground. It has also reduced the amount of hand-unloading as pallets can be brought in directly from our suppliers.

We also have a three-level walk-up mezzanine with 2400 individual bay locations for all of the smaller boxes we have in stock – which is significant when you compare this to 1500 bay locations for the remainder of the warehouse.

“One of our biggest pain points was tapware and bathroom accessories – lots of small boxes on standard racking – there is nothing worse than trying to look for a 10cm x 10cm box in a 3.6m long rack – it is a like a needle in a haystack. Our new layout creates several efficiencies for picking and packing as we now have a warehouse that is more than double the storage capacity of our previous warehouse. We’ve increased our pallet storage by more than 4 times, I never thought we would fill all of the pallet space in this new warehouse, but we almost have, which is probably a good thing and shows our customers that we are here to stay.” AR

IFA Berlin 2025

The world’s largest trade event for the appliance and consumer electronics industry did not disappoint the dozens of Australian retailers and suppliers who made the journey to Berlin in September.

Over 1900 exhibitors from 49 countries met with 222,000 visitors across 190,000 square metres.

During the event, it was announced that IFA will continue to be held annually in Berlin until at least 2034.

“Berlin offers a good trade fair infrastructure, a dynamic environment and the appeal of an international metropolis. We are delighted with the trust placed in us and are convinced that IFA in Berlin will continue to be a success story in the future,” said IFA CEO Leif Lindner.

1. Hass Mahdi

Chris Coen (Harvey Norman), Michael Keriniotou (Harvey Norman), Kurt Hegvold (Electrolux), Haydon Myers (Harvey Norman), Danielle Morrison (Electrolux), Adam Evans (Harvey Norman), Iain Tennant (Harvey Norman) and Greg Scott (Harvey Norman).

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AEG delivers pizza in 150 seconds and quietest ever dishwasher

Electrolux has unveiled the new PizzaExpert function at its AEG press conference at IFA in Berlin which will produce restaurantquality pizza in 150 seconds, alongside other new products including its quietest ever dishwasher.

The Pizza Expert feature is available through the AEG 7000 MealAssist oven that will be in production from 2026.

The process utilises a cast iron tray, rather than a stone, that reaches 340 degrees to produce the pizza and then takes another 150 seconds to ‘recover’ in the oven before another pizza can then be made. The cast iron tray as well as a specifically-made pizza peel will be sold as separate accessories with the oven.

AEG claims that pizza is the fourth most frequently cooked oven dish and they believe that time, appliance limitation and skill gaps are the main reasons why pizza is not made at home more frequently. Since the beginning of 2024, AEG claims it has been the fastest growing built-in kitchen brand in Europe.

“PizzaExpert features an in-app digital assistant helping consumers prepare perfect airy, chewy, and crispy pizzas,” AEG said in a statement.

“It guides users to perfect dough and flawless timing, and the EXCite Touch TFT display on the oven provides step-bystep guidance. It is approved by Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli, one of the world’s most respected institutions dedicated to the art and science of pizza making.”

Also launched at the AEG event was a new dishwasher range – Favorit that the company claims is the most silent and efficient dishwasher ever made.

Launched on a new platform, the claims the superior energy consumption with just 8.4 litres of water used and operation as

Electrolux has unveiled the new PizzaExpert function which creates pizza in its ovens in 150 seconds.

low as 37dB. With the ExtraSilent feature, noise levels can be reduced even further, reaching as low as 35 dB – making it the quietest model on the market.

Also launched at IFA 2025 was the AEG 9000 ProAssist with SteamPro oven with CamCook feature utilsing AI and integrated camera technology to recognize dishes, lean user preferences and automate cooking settings. Consumers can import online recipes via the AEG app, where AI Taste Assist – launched at IFA in 2024 –helps adapt each dish to their oven for best cooking results. Once a dish has been prepared, CamCook visually recognizes it, making it easy to recreate with the same precision next time.

MIELE ENTERS BBQ AND OUTDOOR COOKING MARKET AT IFA 2025

Miele launched the Dreams outdoor kitchen products at IFA Berlin with two barbecues – the Fire Pro BBQ (3999 Euros) and Fire Pro IQ (5999 Euros). Miele said availability will start in the northern hemisphere summer of 2026 and would be available at the earliest in Australia towards the end of next year.

Miele also launched intelligent cookware with integrated touch controls and up to three temperature sensors to permanently measure the temperature and also detect steam and control the cooktop power. Miele also announced a new 14cm steam drawer at IFA 2025, bringing with it the promise of nutritiously cooked food, plus heating and defrosting. Miele says the drawer comes with DualSteam technology and more than 100 automatic programmes on the appliance, across cooking vegetables and sous vide.

“In an increasingly complex world, our customers are looking for reliable innovations that simplify everyday life and create special moments. This is exactly what we deliver with our new products at IFA They are at the core of our Cooking Innovation Initiative and embody the highest standards in quality, design, innovation, and sustainability. In doing so, we are ushering in a new era of cooking,” said Dr Reinhard Zinkann, Executive Director and Co-Proprietor at Miele.

SIEMENS LAUNCHES WORLD FIRST STEAM DRAWER AT IFA 2025

Siemens announced a worldwide first for the company, launching an intelligent steam drawer at IFA 2025, as part of a theme of “Intelligence that Delights” at its stand.

“What you see here is a fully-featured steam oven with all the known advantages and possibilities,” said BSH Vice President of Kitchen Retail in Germany, Ulrike Pesta.

“This intelligent device combines futuristic design with culinary flexibility and unlocks a universe of possibilities to cook with steam more easily and more healthily. Above all, it fits in the smallest kitchen, and with that, it is a problem-solver for all those who could not afford a steam oven before for space reasons.”

The oven, like an automatic coffee machine, has a 10L water tank that can last one hour of continuous steaming. Pesta said the smarts in the machine allow for many uses beyond direct steaming, such as proving dough. It can be operated via a colour display, the Siemens app, or voice control via an assistant like Alexa.

Pesta also announced Siemens is rolling out a bigger range of matte black appliances, expanding to 20 models, including its cooktops, ovens, and coffee machines. Next year, Siemens will prominently mark 100 years of the oven, and started early at IFA .

Bosch invests in AI and hydrogen for the future of cooking in the kitchen

The highlight of the Bosch booth was advancements for its Cookit appliance – the Thermomix-like food processor.

Bosch announced that the Cookit is getting an AI recipe converter that automatically converts online recipes from just about any website into step-by-step instructions for use with the Cookit and its various accessories.

Other key launches included a new Series 8 heat-pump dryer, which dries laundry almost half as fast as previous models, according to the manufacturer, and repeats similar claims from Siemens about being 78% more energy efficient than previous models.

Bosch also launched an XXL Series 6 air fryer, adding more capacity, while preparing dishes as much as 65% faster and using up to 70% less energy than conventional cooking methods.

One surprising unit on display was a 100% hydrogencapable cooktop – while not for sale yet, the product is in use.

A Bosch representative told Appliance Retailer that in 2025, Bosch is testing with households in Scotland that are using cooktops fully capable of running on hydrogen, which produce no carbon dioxide. They may become a real alternative to natural gas when households want to stick to direct flame.

Haier showcases new products and sponsorships at IFA

Haier’s European-focused event tapped into the show’s theme, Naturally Connected, to unveil its latest connected appliances, with Neil Tunstall, CEO Haier Europe, opening the show.

“There’s nothing that we make that we don’t connect now, and most importantly, the connection is not a connection of a washing machine and a tumble dryer. It’s a connection of Haier to our consumers,” he said.

He also added, when talking about Haier’s scale, “Between one in four, and one in five of all of the refrigerators all over the world is produced by Haier. Similar figures for wine coolers, freezers, and washing machines. This is a truly high-scale company, but one that values the differences of the local regions.”

The Haier Next Generation washer-dryer range, features a camera inside the drum to enable AI vision, bringing a new level of garment care and understanding of the wash cycle.

“This is a camera that is inside the drum and continuously grabs information about the washing cycle,” said Laundry Senior Marketing Director, Natalia Sellibara. “This helps to adapt parameters to make sure that we can deliver the best washing performance. It goes further, as this machine will feature nine additional sensors that will continuously grab information about the performance of the product and help or to optimise the washing cycle.”

Haier has deep ties with tennis sponsorship, sponsoring the Australian Open along with Roland Garros in Paris. At IFA 2025, the company announced new sponsorships with Paris SaintGermain and Liverpool, and had former PSG player and French international midfielder, Claude Makélélé, on hand to support the announcements, along with answering some football questions, and taking part in a photo ceremony.

HISENSE RETURNS AS FIFA WORLD CUP SPONSOR IN 2026

Hisense announced at IFA 2025 that it has again sponsored the FIFA World Cup, extending its eight-year relationship with FIFA as a second-level sponsor even further.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first three-nation event in history, expanding further to 48 teams and more than 100 matches.

Catherine Fang, VP of Hisense Group, announced the deal, saying, “Back in 2018, Hisense became the first Chinese electronics brand to sponsor the FIFA World Cup. Since then, overseas revenue has nearly doubled. “We are now the number two TV brand in the world, and number one in Europe for 100inch TVs … Our display technologies have even been used in VAR rooms, where sharpness matters most.”

Coinciding with the deal was Hisense announcing upgrades to its 116-inch RGB-MiniLED TV. First debuted at CES 2025, additional upgrades have come for the next-gen displays, now further competing with QD-OLED display technology, and surpassing it in some ways, claimed the company.

Dennys Li, CEO of Hisense Visual Technology, said, “The upgraded AI 3D colour control delivers 30,000 dimming zones, 10-bit precision, and 200% peak brightness. Traditional white backlights spill over, disrupting the picture. RGB Mini LED fundamentally overcomes this, reducing halo effects by 60% while maintaining ultra-high brightness.”

“This is the first TV in the world to support Dolby Vision 2, delivering frame-level precision.”

Hisense’s Li added, “We believe groundbreaking technology should belong to everyone, not just a select few. That’s why we’re bringing RGB Mini LED to more affordable models like the U7S Pro.”

ECOVACS LAUNCHES DEEBOT X11 AT IFA 2025

ECOVACS unveiled its latest flagship robotic floor cleaner, the DEEBOT X11, at IFA 2025 in Berlin.

The DEEBOT X11 introduces PowerBoost Technology, which enables uninterrupted cleaning of spaces up to 1,000 square metres per task by recharging during mop-washing breaks.

ECOVACS says this allows for a “perpetual run” without extending overall cleaning times. The system also incorporates a 100W fan, a 6,400 mAh battery, and TruePass technology to handle thresholds up to four centimetres in height.

The upgraded OZMO ROLLER 2.0 with TruEdge 3.0 Extreme Edge Cleaning is designed for edge-to-edge coverage, applying stronger pressure and continuous rinsing to tackle stains such as coffee and soy sauce in a single pass.

The company claims a 140 per cent boost in fine dust removal, a 262 per cent increase in hair removal, and a 100 percent pickup rate for large debris compared with previous models.

“As a leader in the home service robotics industry, ECOVACS has been consistently pushing the boundaries of intelligent cleaning. Our innovation is deeply rooted in real user needs, and the DEEBOT X11 Family exemplifies our product-market-fit strategy,” said Karen Powell, Regional Director ANZ for ECOVACS.

“With our most advanced technologies to date, the DEEBOT X11 delivers ‘Xtra in Every Way’ to stay ‘Ahead in Every Play,’ offering an effortless, ultra-efficient, and unmatched cleaning experience that redefines robotic vacuum cleaning.”

The DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone introduces the world’s first bagless OmniCyclone Station, which uses PureCyclone 2.0 Auto-Empty Technology and a dual-stage cyclonic separation system to eliminate disposable bags while maintaining suction performance. The station incorporates heated mop washing at 75°C and hot-air drying at 63°C, designed to improve hygiene and reduce manual maintenance.

Tempo to distribute 3i range of robotic vacuum cleaners

Tempo Australia signed a distribution agreement for the 3i range of robotic vacuum cleaners at IFA 2025.

Tempo Australia product and marketing manager, Matt Pearce, said the range of robotic vacuum cleaners will be exclusively available through Amazon in early 2026.

“3i is redefining robotic floorcare with world-first technologies that make cleaning more effective, more sustainable, and more convenient than ever,” said Pearce.

“We are thrilled to bring this outstanding range of robotic vacuum cleaners to the Australian market in 2026. This is an innovative new brand developed by global robotic cleaning leader PICEA Corporation,” Pearce said.

“With over four million robotic vacuums shipped globally in 2024 and more than 1,100 patents, PICEA and its 3i brand bring proven leadership in robotic cleaning technology to Australian homes.

“Having debuted to strong international acclaim and media reviews, the 3i range combines intelligence, innovation, and imagination to deliver world-first cleaning solutions, with industry-leading suction power, smart AI navigation, and advanced mop technologies that set a new benchmark for home cleaning,” Pearce said.

There are two models in the initial range with pricing yet to be confirmed – but they are expected to be priced at the premium

level of the category. The S10 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop with WaterRecycle Station is the world’s first WaterRecycle floor washing robot vacuum featuring 18,000Pa suction, 100+ object recognition with green-light illumination, extendable roller mop, all-in-one auto station with water recycling, sanitising and drying.

The P10 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop with 18,000Pa suction, UltraReach mop for complete edge-to-edge coverage, all-round station with hot water mop washing & hot-air drying, DirtScan intelligence and AI-powered navigation.

Residentia hosts Narta retailers in Berlin during IFA

Residentia Group hosted key Narta retailers and buyers at an event on the first day of the IFA 2025 exhibition in Berlin.

Residentia co-founder, Matthew Evans welcomed guests to the Kink Bar and Restaurant in east Berlin.

“Since we have taken over Omega in 2023, we have always tried to do something a bit different, by providing insights and reflecting on the brand as well as where we are taking it into the future,” Evans said.

“This is an important opportunity for us each year to celebrate progress and generate discussion from our retail partners on new products that we could bring to market. For example, we are entering the wine storage market in a very significant way under Omega. At this event we are exploring with key customers what comes next,

as a result we have examples of Omega dry-ageing meat storage units and humidors.”

One of the key products launched at the event was the new 90cm stainless steel freestanding dual fuel cooker (OFOGC9010X) with mirror glass window.

This product will also be available in a black version and both products are now on sale in the Australian market.

A stainless steel and black version with induction cooktop will be available in early 2026 and are both expected to be launched in time for the Eurocucina exhibition in Milan in April.

Residentia Group head of retail, Kelly Gray shared that since taking over the brand on 31 March 2024, the company has increased retail distribution from 37 shopfronts to 192 shopfronts and also lifted the average selling price (ASP) of Omega branded products by 144%.

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“SINCE WE HAVE TAKEN OVER OMEGA IN 2023, WE HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO DO SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT.”

– Matthew Evans, Residentia

“In 2023 four products represented 80 per cent of the acquired Omega business and old Omega’s consumer review rating for the brand was 1.7 stars. Since then, we have seen the ASP lift as we are selling more 90cm ovens and induction cooktops. It is very pleasing to see our mix and attachment rate improving which has led to the ASP lift and our Google review rating is now at 4.4 stars in an industry that averages 2.6 from some of the world’s biggest brands,” Gray said.

Residentia creative director Nicholas Cary reflected on the initial transition of the Omega brand from Shriro in 2023.

“From when we signed the paperwork on 31 March 2023, we knew it was different from our existing business, particularly in opening price point products,” Cary said.

“We talked to a lot of people in this room, talked to consumers about where the brand was and where we could take it. From there, we kept the

7 9 8

logo but overhauled everything else. We redefined where the brand was in the Australian market by establishing new positioning & tone of voice around ‘the entertainer’, redesigning every component of the products & creating a true family across the range.”

Cary also shared that Residentia had used brand tracking tool Tracksuit since acquiring Omega to monitor & inform activity, as of this month prompted recall among consumers for the Omega brand is on par with other brands including AEG and ASKO.

Key customer demographics representing first home buyers and consumers over 50 years that live with their partners, while 40 per cent of Omega sales are unplanned purchases.

The Residentia team reinforced the strategic goal for Omega of 10 per cent volume share in all categories they operate in. According to the results shared during the presentation Residentia has confirmed that are on track to achieve this with the retail partners. AR

9. Matthew Evans (Residentia), Rob Sinclair (e&s) and Morgan Hill (e&s). 5

5. Residentia co-founder Matthew Evans with the new Omega meat hanging refrigerator.

6. Chad Pritchard, Kelly Gray, Nicholas Cary, Matthew Evans, Luisa Evans and Troy Hinchco with the new the new 90cm stainless steel freestanding dual fuel cooker (OFOGC9010X) with mirror glass window.

7. Luisa Evans and Chad Pritchard from Residentia.

8. Nicholas Cary (Residentia), Gary Lee (Bing Lee) and Matthew Evans (Residentia).

Anker presents new vision at IFA 2025

Anker Innovations CEO and founder Steven Yang was on hand at IFA 2025 in Berlin, announcing a new vision with a visual update for the existing Anker Innovations brand, while clearly positioning the Anker, Soundcore, and Eufy brands as well.

“Our new vision is clear: to build a playground of makers, where makers inspire each other, test boundaries, and turn imagination into reality and because a mission has to be more than words, it also needs a logo. Today, we’re unveiling the refreshed Anker Innovations logo, a mark of this new chapter and the possibilities”.

Yang added the new logo has three main areas of focus, including going back to first principles, seeking ‘ultimately’ to aim higher, and growing together, meaning long-term focus.

Launched at IFA was the Eufy Marswalker, a claimed worldfirst accessory device for Eufy’s robovac range that works with the Eufy S2, E25, and E28, to climb stairs.

The Marswalker stair-climber can traverse stairs by itself, and it does this with the robovacs by first having the cleaner move to it and then inside. Once embedded, the Marswalker then goes up or down stairs using extended robotic tracks via a track-drive system, enabling the snugly secure robovac to climb a variety of stairs without slips.

Anker reps told Appliance Retailer it is expected to launch in the northern hemisphere “spring of 2026”, or autumn in Australia, but no pricing details were revealed.

Eufy also announced a further iteration of its home security camera, the eufyCam S4. The device has an upper bullet-style camera with a 4K resolution and 130° field of view, and can pan 180° and tilt 30°. The new lower pan-tilt-zoom or PTZ camera has dual 2K lenses, and 8x hybrid zoom capabilities, and broader coverage with 360° panning and 70° tilting. The new second camera offers automatic tracking and automatic framing to capture the details that matter. US pricing was announced as being $299.

Eufy also announced an accessory for its security cameras called the AI Core. Expected to launch in November, the computing module offers an on-device AI model that detects and classifies events and movements from one or multiple live camera feeds, and makes predictions about what may happen next.

SAMSUNG LAUNCHES WORLD-FIRST 115-INCH MICRO RGB TV

Samsung has commenced conversations with retailers in Australia about the local launch of its 115-inch television featuring world-first Micro RGB LED backlighting technology.

The new backlight technology arranges individually controlled red, green and blue Micro LEDs each less than 100µm in size – the thickness of a human hair follicle – to produce higher colour accuracy and contrast in LED displays. This is the first time a display has been able to meet 100 per cent colour coverage of the BT.2020 international standard for 4K and 8K content.

Samsung Australia Director – Audio Visual, Simon Howe, told Appliance Retailer he believes the technology is “a huge leap in television technology that we have not seen in some time”.

“The simplest way to put it is the LED is half the size of a Mini LED and it does not just have a blue backlight any more – it now produces red, green and blue. This provides us with the ability to control the screen better with more zones, but the colour reproduction is second to none.

“We want a TV for every Australian, no matter how they use it or where they use it and the price they are willing to pay for it. This will provide us with two 115-inch models – the QN90 that launches next month and then Micro RGB – supported by both Vision AI and our glare-free technology that are both important factors as well.

“We are super excited to see Micro RGB coming into the market and we will see it within weeks and months. We are working on the final elements of the release – including pricing –but we are looking forward to bringing it to market. This is the first public viewing of that product and the picture quality speaks for itself,” said Samsung Director – Consumer Electronics, Phil Gaut.

Micro RGB technology was previewed at CES 2025 in Las Vegas as a conceptual project, but this 115-inch model is the first product to now enter formal production for the global market. Additional models to complete the range are expected to be released at the CES 2026 exhibition in Las Vegas.

Home Café

OUTLOOK

Coffee machines now a smart consumer investment

BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

Globally, the revenue for the coffee machine market has grown 8% in the first half of 2025, with the Australian market also returning to growth in recent months. Fully automatic and manual pump machine segments are driving the growth both globally and locally, according to GfK. Consumers are seeking products that offer easy maintenance, a modern aesthetic, and a compact footprint. Cold brew functionality is a growing feature, offering greater versatility and aligning with evolving consumer preferences.

Over the past year, Australia’s coffee market has remained strong, but the way consumers are spending has shifted, and while cafés still generated

modest growth, the real momentum has been from at-home coffee machines, was De’Longhi’s perspective of the market. And sales of fully automatic coffee machines have increased, with consumers viewing them as a smart long-term investment. Coffee machines are one of the fastest-growing segments, outpacing many other kitchen categories.

A recent JURA study revealed that consumer purchase intent for coffee machines remains strong, with no signs of decline, a phenomenon that aligns with a broader behavioural pattern observed during tough economic times, where consumers tend to ‘cocoon’ themselves with products which make them feel better, particularly in their homes.

DE’LONGHI

Dora Dimauro Brand Manager

Over the past year, Australia’s coffee market has remained strong, but the way consumers are spending has shifted, and while cafés still generated modest growth, the real momentum has been from at-home coffee machines.

Sales of fully automatic coffee machines have increased in major retailers, with consumers viewing them as a smart long-term investment. The logic is simple, with café coffee averaging $6–7 a cup, investing in a machine means caféstyle coffee at home for under a dollar a serve, according to De’Longhi.

This shift has made coffee machines one of the fastest-growing segments, with strong double digit growth versus the same period last year, as small appliances outpace many other kitchen categories.

“The ‘at-home café’ experience is reshaping consumer behaviour. More Australians are choosing to buy coffee machines from high-end fully automatics to more compact pod systems and are bringing their daily coffee fix in-house,” Dora Dimauro said.

“At the same time, people are becoming more selective with their café visits and are reserving those outings for special moments, while relying on their home machines for their everyday coffee ritual. This approach reflects a broader cost-ofliving mindset.”

The newest addition to the De’Longhi home café lineup is the PrimaDonna Aromatic fully automatic coffee machine including the LatteCrema carafe with milk texture control.

“Our go-to-market strategy prioritises educating consumers on how our one-touch machines deliver barista-quality coffee at home, proving that the convenience of a fully automatic coffee machine never compromises taste or quality. By making the premium coffee experience more accessible than ever, we invite consumers to enjoy coffee their way bean to cup, with no compromise,” she said.

De’Longhi’s

De’Longhi Rivelia Fully Automatic Coffee Machine

EXAM440.55

` Two interchangeable bean hoppers to easily switch between different beans

` 16 customisable drinks and four user profiles cater to individual preferences

` User-friendly 3.5-inch intuitive touchscreen with guided animations for easy use and maintenance

` Bean Adapt technology adjusts grind, dose and temperature based on bean type and Automatic LatteCrema Hot Milk carafe for perfectly textured milk

` Slimline and stylish design with a smaller footprint than other De’Longhi machines

RRP: $1,499

This message comes to life through a new campaign, The Perfetto Instructions for Use, a cinematic tribute to the coffee ritual that captures not just the mechanics of making coffee, but the mindful moments that elevate it into something quietly ‘perfetto’. Starring Brad Pitt and directed by Academy Award-winner Taika Waititi in their debut creative collaboration, the film reimagines the instructions for using a De’Longhi coffee machine with wit and charm, celebrating the ritual of coffee as both effortless and meaningful, which is the visual interpretation of the in the brand promise – “it’s not just perfect, it’s perfetto”.

“Face-to-face training is well and truly back after the cautious approach taken post-Covid. In 2025 we will have trained more staff than we have in five years, attending retailer training expos and hosting our own coffee knowledge sessions with store staff. We found that by getting hands on training and experiencing, De’Longhi innovations open the world of possibilities of understanding how a coffee machine works, sampling a variety of coffees from a single machine and passing on the knowledge to shoppers,” Dimauro said. AR

JURA George Liakatos Managing Director

In the home coffee machine category, customer purchase intentions have been steadily increasing over the past 12 months as more consumers invest in higher-end, premium coffee machines as they seek to replicate café quality experiences at home. Demand is also growing for machines with advanced features that enable greater customisation and superior home brews. JURA has also observed a clear shift towards more premium models, with customers willing to justify the additional expense for the enhanced benefits and elevated coffee experience they provide.

Integration of smart technology continues to remain on the rise with features like Wi-Fi connectivity and mobile apps now expected as a standard inclusion with any machine. Specialty selection coffee machines with dedicated settings or features, cold brew and ice coffees continue to gain popularity as demand for these cold coffee options has increased exponentially.

“Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment, we anticipate the coffee machine category to continue evolving positively. With café prices increasing, consumers are investing in home coffee machines for long-term saving benefits. Coffee machines, particularly premium, are a key example of this,” George Liakatos said. “Consumers are showing a growing interest in premium and specialty coffee machines, especially those with advanced brewing technologies as they replicate the café experience at home.”

A recent JURA study revealed that consumer purchase intent for coffee machines remains strong, with no signs of decline, a phenomenon that aligns with a broader behavioural pattern observed during tough economic times, where consumers tend to ‘cocoon’ themselves with products which make them feel better, particularly in their homes.

JURA Australia launched two fully automatic coffee machines in 2025, the C8 and the J10. The C8 represents the new premium economy segment from JURA, that delivers maximum performance, designed with premium segment style elements serving up a special coffee experience. Adopting a minimalist approach, it masters all the classic specialities: coffee, espresso, cappuccino and latte macchiato.

The J10 is said to be perfect for this category with the increasing popularity of Cold Brew. It’s the first JURA coffee machine that provides a combination of different features in just one cup at a touch of a button. The J10 offers 42 hot and cold speciality coffees, almost any trendy coffee can be prepared at the touch of a button.

JURA J10 Fully Automatic Coffee Machine

` Professional Aroma Grinder featuring aroma control to ensure precise grinding consistency for barista-quality results

` Cold Extraction Process, prepare genuine Cold Brew specialities with fruity aromas and no bitterness

` 42 beverage options, including espresso, Cold Brew espresso, flat white, cappuccino, and sweet milk foam variations

` One-touch milk system cleaning function ensures effortless maintenance taking only minutes to complete

` Coffee Eye intelligent cup sensor detects and guides cup’s position for chosen speciality

RRP: $3,990

For the remainder of 2025, the go-to-market strategy for the coffee category will focus on strengthening the premium segment, where customer demand continues to grow.

Consumers are increasingly willing to invest in higher-end machines that deliver café-quality experiences at home, particularly those offering advanced features and personalisation.

“To capture this momentum, we will work closely with our retail partners to drive sellthrough, ensure premium in-store visibility, and support sales teams with tailored training and promotional activities,” Liakatos said.

Seasonal campaigns such as Black Friday and Christmas will be key touchpoints, supported by PR initiatives, influencer collaborations, and lifestyle partnerships that reinforce the appeal of the premium coffee experience. “By aligning closely with our retail network and leveraging strong consumer interest in premiumisation, we aim to deliver sustainable growth for the category through the second half of the year.

“The coffee category presents a significant growth opportunity, particularly within the premium segment, and the retailers’ role in connecting consumers with the right products has never been more important. “Customers are seeking machines that deliver café-quality results at home, and are willing to pay more for advanced features, superior performance, and a refined coffee experience.” AR

BEKO

Eddie Gaymer National Sales Manager

The coffee category has continued to perform strongly over the past 12 months, as one of the most resilient and fastest-growing segments in SDA. For retailers, the category offers not only consistent consumer demand but also a clear pathway to engage value-conscious shoppers with solutions that elevate their at-home coffee experience.

Consumer behaviour is polarised between two ends of the market. Entry-level manual machines, up to around $300–$350, remains strong for price-sensitive shoppers looking to replicate caféquality coffee at home on a budget. At the other end, the sweet spot for fully automatic premium machines sits between $500 and $900, where consumers are willing to invest in convenience, features, and consistency.

Australia’s cultural connection to coffee is also driving sustained demand, even amid cost-ofliving pressures. “Coffee is no longer a ‘nice to have’, it’s a must-have. Australians are one of the strongest coffee-drinking nations, and that passion is reflected in the way shoppers continue to prioritise their at-home coffee experience,” Eddie Gaymer said.

For retailers, the message is clear: ranging strategies need to capture both ends of this growing market, ensuring shoppers can choose between accessible entry-level options and featurepacked premium machines, both delivering strong value for money.

Experto Espresso Coffee Machine

CEG7348X

` 18 one touch options

` Cold brew function

` TFT Screen surrounded by touch panel

` Easy cleaning

` Removable milk cup

RRP: $1,199

Beko has introduced four new coffee machines over the past 12 months, each designed to deliver café-quality coffee across different price points. “Our goal has been to ensure that every consumer, whether they’re entering the category for the first time or looking to upgrade, can enjoy a consistently great coffee experience without needing to be an expert barista.

“These new machines are all about producing quality coffee at value-for-money price points. From fresh beans or ground coffee, with just the press of a button, consumers can enjoy a coffee with café-quality crema,” Gaymer said.

He added that this approach reflects Beko’s commitment to supporting retailers with a versatile and accessible coffee offering, ensuring they can meet the needs of a wide consumer base while tapping into one of the strongest and most resilient SDA categories in the market.

For the remainder of 2025, including the crucial Christmas trading period, Beko’s focus is on building momentum in the coffee category with a multi-layered go-to-market strategy. “With products that have already performed successfully for Beko in international markets, we are confident of replicating that success here in Australia.”

According to Gaymer, Beko is still relatively new to coffee in Australia. “Our goal is to give consumers a range of machines across different price points that they can trust to deliver a consistently good quality coffee with the Beko name behind it.”

Beko is also leaning into innovation to broaden the category, with its Turkish coffee machine, which adds cultural depth and variety to the coffee offering. “This product caters to consumers looking for something different, but it’s also perfect for those who just want to press a button and enjoy a great-tasting coffee, no fuss required.”

By combining trusted international performance, strong local ranging, tailored marketing, and a portfolio that balances variety with value, Beko is set to capture consumer attention and help retailers make the most of the Christmas period and beyond.

“Beko has built a coffee offering that directly reflects what consumers are asking for. We cover the key segments of the market, from entry-level manual machines right through to fully automatic models, ensuring there’s a solution for every customer. With a European design pedigree, strong feature sets, and a two-year warranty that reinforces consumer trust, Beko products deliver confidence for both retailers and shoppers.” AR

‘

SUNBEAM

Marie Liganaris

Marketing Communications Manager

With rising coffee bean prices and cost-of-living pressures continuing, Australian consumers continue the trend towards brewing at home, further boosting the at-home coffee machine segment. And value for money is what most consumers are looking for, combined with convenience and features that make their lives easier.

Sunbeam has added accessibility to the coffee category this year, introducing the Origins Espresso range with three new manual espresso machines all sitting under $1000. The campaign is still running, a second round of GWP is being picked up successfully with staff training and upskilling continuing in-store and with online resources.

As the range of Origins Slimline, Classic and Sense continues to build momentum, Sunbeam is also launching a new Prima Latte espresso machine with fully automatic milk, “which at $299 makes manual espresso accessible for all Australian consumers,” Marie Liganaris said.

Sunbeam has also increased its field team coverage on the road in Victoria and Queensland, intended to build on training programs in stores.

“Sunbeam has created three training videos specifically for retail staff to learn about the Origins Espresso range, key step-up features and FAQs. These are available to all retailers and are being loaded onto the new Narta learning platform. The feature step-up chart for in-store has been popular as well.”

Sunbeam Origins Sense Espresso Machine EMM6500GR

` TempSense steam wand auto-off at the set milk temperature for the chosen milk type

` Optimal flavour and precision dosing with built-in conical burr grinder and Tap & Go grinding with Auto Dose

` Less mess with anti-static grinding technology, keeping grinds in the group handle

` Easy clean with onebutton cleaning and descaling cycles

` 12-month replacement guarantee.

RRP: $799-$999

The Sunbeam YouTube channel carries product videos, quick start guides and cleaning videos for all machines, that answers most questions.

Liganaris said coffee is an exciting category with many consumers now coming back to replace their Covid pandemic coffee machine purchases. “Often, they will not buy the same model but trade up or down, as our daily lives and needs have changed dramatically since the lockdown.

“This is a great opportunity for retailers to offer new products and start a conversation about consumers’ coffee needs. We also have many young, new buyers looking to save money on takeaway coffee and become baristas at home.”

She said the Sunbeam Origins Sense espresso machine is unique in the market, bringing consumers TempSense technology with an autooff steam wand at an accessible price point. The technology removes the guess work of frothing milk and allows the user to master any milk, alternative or dairy, with four auto-off heat settings and a manual setting if steaming milk manually is preferred. This machine also offers long blacks from a separate hot water tap. AR

“ Young buyers are looking to save money on take-away coffee. ”

“

More consumers are prioritising coffee made from freshly ground beans.

PHILIPS

Urvi Loganathan Marketing Manager

The coffee machine category is in growth YOY, and the fully automatic machine category is growing ahead of the market, up 8.1% in units versus a year ago.

In March, Philips relaunched into the category with a new localised fully-auto range that Urvi Loganathan said has helped to drive category growth, growing at 37.4% in Q2 versus fully automatic espresso coffee machine unit growth of 2.9%, according to GfK data. The LatteGo series brings three new machines into the market.

“Australia has a rich and vibrant café culture, which not only leads global coffee trends, but also drives trends for in-home consumption locally. Australian consumers have always been repertoire drinkers, with their days consisting of coffees made at cafés, and at home using a variety of methods like instant coffee, coffee sachets, coffee pods and beans,” she said.

“However, given the relentless increases in the cost of coffee at cafés, consumers are increasingly being forced to have more coffee at home and are looking for ways to elevate the in-home coffee experience as a result. More consumers are prioritising coffee made from freshly ground beans, for both taste and sustainability reasons, with almost 400k bean-to-cup machines sold in Australia just in the last 12 months. Ease and convenience, often fuelled by technology, also continue to drive choices in the coffee machine space, as consumers look for effortless ways to replicate the café experience.”

The company is concentrating on building distribution across all key electrical retailers and department stores, in addition to growing awareness of the Philips brand’s presence in the coffee category with a through-the-line campaign using its creative platform, “It’s never a bad time for good coffee”.

Coffee machines are set for strong growth, with some retailers already adapting their store layouts and expanding brand ranges to capture demand.

“There is room for trusted brands to drive additional penetration, capturing consumers who have so far been reluctant to enter the category. Research also shows that in-store plays a critical role in the decision journey: both as an educational touchpoint and a tactile experience, especially since most buyers are first-time buyers and often feel overwhelmed. Staff training and demo machines are key levers in this too,” Loganathan said. AR

Philips LatteGo 5500 Series EP5541

` 20+ café style coffees at the touch of a button

` LatteGo frothing system for effortless velvety froth

` Fastest-to-Clean milk frother in less than 10 seconds or straight in the dishwasher

` QuickStart feature starts brewing in less than three seconds

` SilentBrew technology is 40% quieter for early morning brews

RRP: $1,399

SMEG

Luca Duarte

Product Manager – SDA, La Pavoni & MDA

Smeg has observed that despite difficult market conditions, the coffee category has remained stable throughout 2025, with manual espresso machines the ‘go to’ product as they recreate the café experience inside users’ homes. “Manual espresso machines and fully automatics are experiencing growth in mid-premium price segments, while drip coffee machines continue to have marginal growth,” Luca Duarte said.

“Consumer purchasing behaviour has not experienced any drastic shifts over the last 12 months, as they continue to seek products that deliver on taste, quality, and design while recreating the café experience at home,” Duarte said, adding that manual espresso machines remain the “go to” product for enthusiasts who want control and authenticity in their coffee preparation, while fully automatic machines are experiencing steady growth due to their ease of use. “Interest in smart, connected machines is also growing, as consumers look for more personalised brewing experiences.”

Smeg continues to invest in this area with the recent launch of the EMC02 Minipro, designed to meet these evolving needs. The EMC02 combines the semi-professional performance expected from a manual espresso machine with the convenience of programmable coffee functions, catering to both expert users and those seeking a more relaxed experience. The EMC02 ensures consistency and café-quality results and is ready to use in four minutes.

“Through data available to us, we see mid-tier price bands are over 40% up on last year (YTD) for manual espresso machines.”

For the remainder of 2025, Smeg’s go-to-market strategy for the coffee category will focus on showcasing the breadth of the Smeg range, from fully automatic machines through, manual espresso, drip coffee and complementary products. “We see a strong opportunity in the premium segment, where consumers are seeking café-quality results at home with products that balance performance, ease of use, and design.”

Retailer partnerships remain central, with a strong emphasis on training and education to support conversion in a category where purchases are highly considered, reinforced through in-store demonstrations, digital activations, and brand storytelling to highlight the long-term value of investing in a quality machine.

Alongside its hero espresso machines, Smeg will launch the MFF02 mini milk frother, designed for solo users who want a simple milk frothing experience. “By strengthening our core range and expanding into new subcategories, we aim to capture a broader audience and drive growth across the coffee portfolio,” he said.

Smeg offers an online training course on its e-learning platform, that provides retailers with information about the features and benefits of Smeg coffee machines, while the website provides customers and retailers with information and specification sheets for accessing and comparing Smeg models.

Smeg MiniPro Espresso Coffee Machine EMCO2

` 58mm Portafilter

` Triple Thermoblock

` Versatile brewing options

` Precise control

` Made in Italy

RRP: $2,399

“Coffee machines remain a dynamic and high-value category, combining design and performance in a product that elevates the daily routine. Consumers continue to look for machines that can deliver café-quality results at home, whether through the authenticity of manual espresso preparation or the convenience of fully automatic solutions,” Duarte said. “As the at-home café trend continues to grow, demand is increasing for machines that suit a wide range of skill levels, design preferences, and lifestyles. Educating customers on the long-term value and versatility of these products is key to driving conversion in a market where purchase decisions are more considered than ever.” AR

“ Colour has become a driving force in purchasing behaviour. ”

KITCHENAID

Madeleine Brazel Category Manager

“Since the launch of KitchenAid’s fully automatic and semi automatic coffee machines in September 2024, we’ve seen strong momentum and positive growth across the category,” Madeleine Brazel said. “The competitive features that appeal to all coffee drinkers and the timeless and modern design of our products have cemented KitchenAid as a key player in the category, with 4.5 out of 5-star plus reviews across the models.”

Over the past year, Australia’s coffee category has been influenced by rising café prices and evolving consumer habits. Many households are turning to premium at-home machines and quality beans as a cost-effective way to enjoy café-style coffee without leaving home, she said.

Consumers are increasingly seeking convenience and customisation, with a strong preference for appliances that allow personalised coffee experiences. There is also growing interest in sustainable options, plant-based milk compatibility and health-focused innovations, reflecting a broader shift toward ethically conscious and lifestyle-aligned choices.

“Colour has become a driving force in purchasing behaviour and our expanded colour range creates a cohesive, elevated aesthetic across the benchtop.”

The cost of a café-style coffee has surged too, with some cities now charging up to $7–$12 per cup, reflecting more than a 100% increase in wholesale costs year-on-year due to global supply pressures, according to news reports. Research from Modor Intelligence is also showing increasing demand for ethically sourced, organic, and recyclable capsules, alongside growing investment in premium athome machines that replicate café-quality results.

KitchenAid is launching media campaigns leading into the peak selling season. “These will focus on creating cohesive benchtop stories, featuring the Espresso Collection that has been designed to complement the iconic Artisan Stand mixer, as well as kettles and toasters,” senior marketing manager, Michelle Lam said.

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine KES6551

` Metal-Clad construction + Award Winning Design in porcelain

` Commercial grade 58mm flat base easy tamp portafilter for café quality results

` Quiet Mark certified for a calm home

` Removable bean hopper with lid to encourage bean exploration

` Easy-to-clean and maintain with 2.5L removable water tank, easy glide wheels and mess-free grind with anti-static technology

RRP: $999

To allow consumers to experience and taste the KitchenAid difference, nationwide demonstration programs will run continuously. Brand partnerships with leading Australian brands and mass influencers will continue to educate and inspire coffee exploration.

“We are committed to a strong post-purchase experience, offering comprehensive on-demand videos to enable anyone to start making caféquality coffee at home, without the need for a barista course. Complimentary one-on-one virtual consultations are also available.

“For our retail partners, we have a solid promotional program focused on driving value to end consumers at all key retail selling periods, including gifts with purchase,” Lam said. AR

BREVILLE

Athena Kalos Business Manager - Coffee

Demand for home coffee machines that deliver in-cup quality remains high with coffee machines continuing to deliver strong growth versus the previous year with consumers looking for innovative features such as better milk systems, including automatic milk texturing, plantbased milk settings, one touch settings and cold extraction modes. Also trending strongly are coffee machines based on functionality to help the consumer choose the right machine. Consumers continue to look for value reflecting cost-of-living pressures, while remaining price-sensitive and “deal-driven”, especially on small consumer durables. Value adds such as bundles with beans and accessories assist with brand loyalty, according to Breville.

Key selling considerations for retailers include simplifying the café-quality at home message and the lifetime value of added bundles. “Also helping to the close the sale are in-store demonstrations that highlight key product features such as onetouch latte art, faster heat-up, and iced coffee recipes. Also by offering strong deals during Black Friday and refresh offers mid-December for lastminute gift ideas,” Athena Kalos said.

Breville helps consumers navigate the coffee category at home with espresso machines to suit their style such as Personal Mastery – for those who want to get hands on with their coffee making; Assisted Mastery – for those who want a little help and Instant Mastery – for those who want the machine to do it for them.

Breville Oracle Dual Boiler BES995

` Responsive 5.7-inch HD colour touchscreen

` Auto and manual mode

` Auto dial improves next shot automatically

` Triple heat system with simultaneous coffee and steam

` Automatic milk with alternative milk settings

RRP: $4,899

“As we move toward the 2025 Christmas period, the kitchen appliances category in Australia is being shaped by a mix of evolving consumer behaviours and trends. As noted in previous years, shoppers are bringing their Christmas purchasing forward, with major sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday becoming the true peak of the retail calendar. Value-seeking behaviours dominate, with consumers expecting compelling promotions and bundles, but they are equally willing to trade up when brands clearly communicate benefits such as performance, convenience, or cost savings,” Kalos said.

“At a product level, coffee remains a hero category, with strong appetite for premium espresso and bean-to-cup machines, reflecting the continued café-at-home culture. Across the board, consumers are polarising between entrylevel options and “affordable premium” choices, rewarding brands that can balance accessibility with aspirational features.”

Kalos added that beyond functionality, purchase decisions are increasingly guided by considerations of sustainability and durability. Energy efficiency, longevity, and repairability are becoming meaningful differentiators, with shoppers gravitating toward appliances that promise lower running costs and longer life spans. Provenance also plays a role, with Australian-designed products carrying strong emotional and trust appeal in a competitive, promotion-driven landscape.

“The shopper journey is fully omnichannel, blending online research, social influence, and in-store testing. Click-and-collect and flexible fulfilment are no longer optional extras but expected standards. For marketers, the key is to ensure a seamless experience across all touchpoints, making it easy for consumers to find information, compare, and commit quickly when the right deal or message resonates.

“Together, these dynamics suggest a Christmas season defined by earlier purchasing, sharper value propositions, and an emphasis on quality, innovation, and trustworthiness in the kitchen.” AR

Christmas

DESSERT & ICE CREAM MAKERS | FROZEN DRINK MACHINES | STAND MIXERS

Spending indicators point to a win for festive sales

BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

Consumer spending is predicted to pick up heading into Christmas, bringing some muchneeded Christmas cheer to retailers and shoppers.

Those tough economic conditions, costof-living pressures and inflation, that put a dampener on consumer spending over the past three years, seem to have abated.

Deloitte’s 2025 Retail Holiday Report indicated that 84% of retailers expect sales growth to increase from last season, with 33% of shoppers planning to spend more than they did in 2024. However, retailers can expect to

generate half their holiday revenue over Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

And despite the popularity of online and overseas marketplaces, 71% of respondents to the report revealed a preference for inperson spending. Interestingly, consumers are not shopping by channel but by experience, rewarding retailers who provide one that is ‘easy, personalised and affordable’.

And no report would be complete without the mention of artificial intelligence with shoppers showing interest in platforms that make shopping quick and convenient.

GROUPE SEB

Jason Borg Marketing Director – ANZ

This Christmas, shoppers will be seeking value but are also prepared to invest in products that feel special and enhance life at home. “At Tefal, our focus remains on electrical cooking appliances and linen care – categories that deliver both practicality and delight. Air fryers are expected to continue their strong growth trajectory, while frozen dessert makers are emerging as the season’s must-have gift, perfectly suited to Australia’s summer and the growing demand for experienceled appliances. These categories will deliver incremental sales and accelerate category growth throughout the festive season,” Jason Borg said.

“Tefal is the number one cookware brand globally, including in Australia, and we are leveraging this strength to drive category-first innovations in electrical cooking that transform how people cook and create at home. This Christmas, our focus will be on expanding into frozen dessert makers and specialty appliances, led by the launch of Dolci – the most advanced and versatile frozen dessert machine on the market.”

Dolci is a multifunctional at-home dessert maker available in two finishes, Black Knight (Black) and Rise (Cream). And for its debut launch, Tefal has partnered with Nesquik. Each Dolci unit includes three iconic Nesquik 250g tins in strawberry, chocolate, and banana, that he said: “adds a playful twist to every creation”.

Dolci lets consumers craft a wide range of festive favourites, from ice cream, sorbets, and frozen yoghurts to milkshakes, slushies, and cocktails - all with ease, and from the comfort of home. Designed for creativity, versatility, and convenience, Dolci makes it simple to mix, chill and repeat, whether recreating classic favourites or inventing entirely new frozen dessert combinations.

Tefal’s marketing strategy is high-impact and multifaceted, executed through retail and brandled initiatives. The campaign will be powered by strong creative production, earned and paid media, influencer partnerships, a targeted social media strategy, and activation stunts designed

Tefal Dolci Multifunctional At-home Dessert Maker

` Delivers professional-quality frozen desserts with 10 scoopable and drinkable functions

` World-first One Step Perfector technology delivers frozen textures in a single cycle with double-action blades for smoothness and homogeneity

` Professional blades for dual action churning and aeration for smooth, creamy results

` Self-cleaning auto-rinse program and detachable, dishwasher-safe parts

` Digital recipe book with 50 ideas - from vegan and dairy-free to sugar-free and savoury

RRP: $449

to amplify the launch. This integrated approach ensures sustained brand and product awareness throughout Christmas and beyond, Borg added.

“This Christmas, retailers have a unique opportunity to capture demand through innovation across electrical cooking appliances and linen care products. Tefal is bringing a strong pipeline of products to support ranging and promotions, led by Dolci, which we believe will redefine the frozen dessert category. Together, these launches will drive incremental sales, strengthen in-store activation, and create excitement during the most competitive trading period of the year,” he said. AR

BREVILLE

Julio Enriquez Category Manager – Food Prep & Cooking

Moving towards the 2025 Christmas period, the kitchen appliances category in Australia is being shaped by a mix of evolving consumer behaviours and trends. As in previous years, shoppers are bringing their Christmas purchasing forward, with major sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday becoming the true peak of the retail calendar. Value-seeking behaviours dominate, with consumers expecting compelling promotions and bundles, but they are equally willing to trade up when brands clearly communicate benefits such as performance, convenience, or cost savings.

At a product level, Julio Enriquez said air fryers continue to anchor the category but have matured into multi-functional appliances, with larger capacities and features that allow for grilling, baking and more. “Coffee remains a hero category, with strong appetite for premium espresso and bean-to-cup machines, reflecting the continued café-at-home culture. Across the board, consumers are polarising between entrylevel options and ‘affordable premium’ choices, rewarding brands that can balance accessibility with aspirational features,” he said.

Beyond functionality, purchase decisions are increasingly guided by considerations of sustainability and durability. Energy efficiency, longevity and repairability are becoming meaningful differentiators, with shoppers

Breville Smart Toast Four Slice Long Slot BTA830

` Motorised four slice toaster

` Extra wide and long slots

` Three settings – fruit bread, a bit more and lift and look

` Full die-cast metal construction

` Available in Sea Salt and Black Truffle

RRP: $249

gravitating toward appliances that promise lower running costs and longer life spans. He added that provenance also plays a role, with Australian-designed products carrying strong emotional and trust appeal in a competitive, promotion-driven landscape.

The shopper journey is fully omnichannel, blending online research, social influence, and in-store testing. Click-and-collect and flexible fulfilment are no longer optional extras but expected standards. For marketers, the key is to ensure a seamless experience across all touchpoints, making it easy for consumers to find information, compare, and commit quickly when the right deal or message resonates.

“Together, these dynamics suggest a Christmas season defined by earlier purchasing, sharper value propositions, as well as an emphasis on quality, innovation, and trustworthiness in the kitchen,” he said.

Breville have expanded its Smart Toast range with two new models in new colour options that he said, “is tapping into Australia’s rising appetite for kitchen cohesion via colour-matched appliances”. AR

“ Christmas [will be] defined by earlier purchasing, sharper value propositions as well as an emphasis on quality innovation. ”

“ Christmas is about creating excitement on the shop floor. ”

BEKO

Eddie Gaymer

National Sales Manager

Beko has observed several clear trends shaping consumer behaviour in the lead-up to the peak Christmas sales period, as major sale events dominate the shopper journey. “Consumers are increasingly using Black Friday as a time to secure their Christmas gifts and save money. After that, attention shifts to Boxing Day, which remains a key moment for value-driven purchases,” Eddie Gaymer said.

Online shopping is also playing a larger role in how customers plan and purchase their appliances, while lifestyle and cultural trends are influencing the type of products consumers are on the lookout for at this time.

For retailers, these insights highlight a clear opportunity – and that is to focus on products that bring value and experience together, whether through competitive promotions, a trusted online presence, or appliances that elevate the at-home entertaining moment.

This Christmas, Beko is putting the spotlight on products that help Australians celebrate, entertain, and enjoy the season with ease, from cooking appliances to innovative SDA products, that bring theatre into the home, with a focus on categories that meet both the practical and lifestyle needs of consumers during the festive period. This includes coffee machines, an expanded air fryer range, and the new SlushMix frozen drink machine for making alcoholic and non-alcoholic options at home. “SlushMix will arrive just in time for December and Christmas sales, and is perfectly timed for summer entertaining, and we expect it to be a real hit with families looking for something unique and fun,” Gaymer said.

The new Double Air Fryer can operate as a single extra-large drawer or be split into two to cook different dishes at once with a glass panel and light, to check their food without opening. “It’s about delivering versatility and multifunctionality in one appliance.”

Beko SlushMix Frozen Drink Machine SM 5770

` Prepares cold drinks in 15-45 minutes

` Five drink and five cooling modes plus recipes

` Up to 12 hours cooling

` Real-time drink monitoring with transparent tank

` Easy cleaning

RRP: TBC

By focusing on products that combine function, innovation, and a sense of occasion, Beko is helping retailers tap into the key consumer trends of the season, maximising kitchen performance, creating memorable entertaining moments, and delivering value through flexible, feature-packed appliances.

An upgraded and expanded upright cooker range is also on the Christmas product agenda featuring AeroPerfect technology for even cooking and faster cook times, plus the added versatility of an AirFry accessory.

Cooking will continue to be a centrepiece category, particularly with consumes looking for appliances that simplify large-scale meals.

By introducing products that combine on-trend innovation with quality and competitive value, Beko is giving retailers strong, differentiated offerings to capitalise on the Christmas and summer sales period. It is supporting retailers with products that not only meet consumer needs but also drive strong sales outcomes through Christmas and into 2025.

“Our message to retailers is that Christmas 2025 is about leaning into products that bring both fun and function into the home. Consumers will still be cautious in their spending, but they are seeking appliances that deliver value, quality, and a touch of theatre to their entertaining moments,” he said.

“For retailers, this Christmas is about creating excitement on the shop floor, highlighting appliances that make entertaining easier, and reassuring consumers that they can trust the Beko name to deliver both quality and value.” AR

GLEN DIMPLEX

Richard Banks

Product Manager SDA – ANZ

The market continues to show steady growth, with consumer behaviour increasingly favouring online retail channels for convenience and accessibility. Sustainability remains a key priority, with ecoconscious shoppers gravitating toward energyefficient, environmentally friendly appliances, while demand for compact, multi-functional products continues to rise, with induction cookers standing out as a preferred choice for efficient, space-saving cooking.

For Christmas 2025, Morphy Richards will be focusing on categories that champion convenience, intuitive functionality, and healthconscious cooking. “Our range of stylish, designled kitchen appliances continues to resonate with consumers seeking elevated everyday solutions – products that effortlessly combine smart living with contemporary design,” Richard Banks said.

Morphy Richards will launch a selection of new product innovations ahead of the Christmas selling period, including the latest portable induction cooktops and a sleek water dispenser featuring a built-in ice maker. “These additions reflect our ongoing commitment to convenience, modern design, and smart functionality –perfectly timed to meet seasonal demand and elevate everyday living.”

The company’s go-to-market strategy centres on understanding customer needs and positioning its products with precision. Beyond core GTM pillars, the activity will be on maximising budget impact through strategic retailer collaborations and opportunities, driving conversion, visibility, and sustained momentum through the Christmas period and into 2026.

“With consumers shopping earlier and demand building fast, our message is to be ready early. We’re committed to supporting retailers with timely stock availability and strong in-store presence to help maximise momentum throughout the Christmas trading period,” he said. AR

Morphy Richards Portable Dual Induction Cooktop MRICD22BK

` Dual cooking zones – 1000W + 1200W –with boost setting

` Eight stage power settings

` Suitable for cookware with a base diameter of 140-200mm

` Ceramic glass plate

` Dual child locks safety function

RRP: $199.95

Cuisinart Freeze Wand Ice Cream Maker ICE-FD10XA

` Fast and versatile ice cream maker

` Makes ice cream, sorbets, classic and fun mixes

` Three tubs for pre-freezing ingredients

` Compact design tucks neatly into a drawer

` Quiet operation

RRP: $149

CONAIR

Brendon Tomlinson

Commercial Director

The small appliance category for ice cream and frozen desserts in Australia has seen year-onyear growth of over 12%, as consumers look to replicate commercial experiences like the 7-Eleven Slurpee or soft serve at home, but tailored to their own tastes and dietary preferences, according to Brendon Tomlinson. “There’s a strong cultural shift happening where Australians want to recreate nostalgic treats, but with the ability to personalise ingredients, boost health benefits, and explore creative flavours,” he said, adding that this rise in ‘pro-style’ home entertaining is shaping a trend heading into the holiday season, with innovation, personalisation and social mediaready experiences driving strong demand.

“With consumers increasingly chasing protein boosts, plant-based alternatives, and ingredient control without giving up indulgence, these launches land right at the sweet spot of health meets fun. For retailers, they’re a double win: two stand-out products, timed perfectly for the holiday sales window, with broad appeal across age groups and lifestyles.”

Cuisinart is tapping into this with two major launches into the frozen dessert category, taking the ice cream shop to the bench top, with the Freeze Wand Ice Cream Maker and Frost Fusion soft serve slushy maker. Frost Fusion creates creamy soft serve cones for kids to icy cocktail slushies and frozen margaritas for adults. It has six functions, one-touch pre-sets and a self-rinse function. AR

KITCHENAID

Michelle Lam Senior Marketing Manager

As we approach Christmas, consumers are seeking products that deliver in form and function, with appliances that double as art for the home while offering everyday convenience and performance. Design-led finishes, timeless colours, and premium materials are increasingly important as shoppers look to invest in statement pieces for their kitchens that feel both personal and enduring.

“Colour stories and coordinated palettes are also playing a bigger role, with consumers embracing colour matching across breakfast suites and benchtop appliances to create a cohesive, elevated aesthetic. At the same time, demand for multifunctional, intuitive appliances continues to grow, with consumers gravitating toward solutions that streamline cooking and entertaining during the festive season and beyond,” according to Michelle Lam.

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer in Porcelain with Walnut Bowl KSM156

` 10-speed control for precise mixing for a variety of recipes

` Multipurpose attachment hub expands functionality with over 15 attachments (sold separately)

` Original planetary action for thorough, even mixing

` Walnut bowl crafted from genuine walnut wood

` Versatile and stylish signature design

RRP: $1,099

KitchenAid is shining the spotlight this Christmas on its espresso machines, stand mixers and attachments, blenders and breakfast appliance ranges with its ‘More the Merrier’ 2025 Christmas collection. It features the Artisan Stand Mixers in Porcelain with a walnut wood bowl and a Cardamon finish, together with a full-suite collection of espresso machines and breakfast appliances in festive Juniper Green. Also in the Christmas lineup are new Pure Power blenders with a 2L BPA-free Tritan jar with heat release vent lid that handles both hot and cold ingredients.

Also supporting the brand are design-focused, cross-category campaigns that draw inspiration from fashion trends, exquisite tablescaping, and premium product design that align with current kitchen, home décor and entertainment trends, Lam said. AR

Conquer Every Mess

Shoppers prioritise retail

BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

Floorcare is one of the key growth categories within small appliances, not only in Australia but globally. Functionality remains a top priority for consumers, with models that combine vacuuming and mopping functions showing the highest potential, the latest GfK data shows.

Convenience is another major driver, alongside high suction power and ease-of-use. From an Australian shopping behaviour standpoint, physical retail plays a more significant role in the vacuum cleaner purchase journey compared to other small appliance categories, serving not only as a key touchpoint but also as a critical channel for conversion.

A monthly product trend from Shopify revealed consumers are currently in a cleaning frenzy, buying gear that works harder for busier

households or preparing for the allergy season, with floor cleaners rising 157% in July.

In 2025, global shipments of smart home cleaning robots are expected to reach 32.1 million units, up 28.2% year-on-year, with a projected five-year compound annual growth rate of 26% through to 2028, according to IDC, Worldwide Quarterly Smart Home Cleaning Robot Device Tracker, Q2 2025. The floorcare category has demonstrated robust growth globally and in Australia, driven by increased consumer demand for automated, efficient, and eco-friendly solutions. The global floorcare market was valued at $5.272 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $5.414 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61% through 2033, reports

ANKER INNOVATIONS

Cheng Lin Head – Go to Market

In 2025, global shipments of smart home cleaning robots are expected to reach 32.1 million units, up 28.2% year-on-year, with a projected five-year compound annual growth rate of 26% through to 2028, according to IDC, Worldwide Quarterly Smart Home Cleaning Robot Device Tracker, Q2 2025

Australia’s floorcare category has maintained steady growth, fuelled by consumers’ increasing demand for convenience, hygiene, and efficiency in the home. Deep cleaning performance continues to be a primary purchase driver, particularly for households with carpets and pets, Cheng Lin said. “At the same time, the shift toward Omni Station solutions – combining vacuuming, mopping, and self-cleaning in one – has accelerated and remains a defining trend in 2025, as Australians prioritise all-in-one products that save time while delivering a consistently clean home. This growth has also attracted new entrants to the market, intensifying both price and feature-based competition.”

Over the past 12 months, eufy has launched five new products in Australia – the E20, C20, E28, E25, and S2. Each model introduces innovations, from versatile all-in-one designs to advanced carpet-cleaning capabilities, all built on one core philosophy: deep cleaning. “At eufy, we prioritise carpet and deep-cleaning performance. By addressing consumer needs we can deliver smarter, more effective solutions that make a meaningful difference in everyday life,” Lin said. “The brand continues to expand its footprint across major retailers and e-commerce platforms, ensuring more consumers can experience the benefits of smart floorcare technology.”

On the product side, eufy is committed to delivering a portfolio that meets the diverse cleaning needs of households, from entrylevel robotic vacuums to premium all-in-one models with self-cleaning and high-pressure mopping. Innovation remains at the core of eufy’s strategy. “By integrating AI navigation and

eufy Robot

Vacuum Omni S2

` High-Pressure Mopping with HydroJet uses a dual-scraper structure and 32 water outlets to clean the roller mop

` Industry-leading deep carpet cleaning with AeroTurbo Carpet Master 2.0 and 30,000Pa suction power for a stickvacuum level deep clean

` 3D AI precision mapping powered by CleanMind AI System recognises dirt types and adapts cleaning strategy to avoid small obstacles

` CornerRover side brush and extendable roller mop delivers full coverage to edges and corners

` Side brushes stay tangle-free while DuoSpiral detangle main brushes prevent hair build-up for hassle-free cleaning and

new generation of products is developed with a focus on solving real-life problems – whether that means tackling pet hair or spills, adapting to different floor types, or saving time for busy families,” he said, adding that together these pillars reinforce eufy’s leadership and long-term vision for the floorcare market.

“We have built a user-friendly training platform, Anker Academy, that provides retail partners with the information they need to confidently sell our products. Other retail support includes concise onepagers and in-store decal stickers that highlight key product benefits. These tools ensure that sometimes complicated features are easy to understand, easy to explain, and easy to sell,” Lin said.

“Our key message to retailers is simple: consumers are no longer just looking for convenience in floorcare, they want a premium experience to give them a professional deep clean. With innovations like HydroJet 2.0 high-pressure mopping and the new AeroTurbo Carpet Master 2.0 for unrivalled carpet cleaning performance, our robotic vacuums are engineered to deliver the most thorough cleaning on the market. By positioning eufy as the best-in-class carpet cleaning robotic vacuum brand, retailers can confidently meet the

ECOVACS

Karen Powell Regional Director ANZ

The industry is seeing record levels of product advancement and innovation, while also experiencing unprecedented growth locally as a category.

“This growth is consistent across entry-level, midtier and high-end models, with consumers paying attention to the specific features that address pain points for their home,” Karen Powell said. “Be it a carpet dominant environment or a mixture of hard floors and carpets, consumers are looking for the right fit with solutions that deliver exceptional results. The impact of this also means that consumers are willing to invest in premium models if the features offer a clear benefit and perform as promised, which is reflected in the strong performance of our flagship models,” she said.

From research in 2024, ECOVACS found that 80% of those surveyed in Australia vacuum their homes weekly, presenting an opportunity to provide lifestyle and time-saving benefits. However, while home robotics deliver a clear solution to these daily pressures, only 17% of consumers currently own a robotic vacuum cleaner. But 74% are open to robotic appliances in their home and 59% reported planning to buy a robotic vacuum in the near future.

Earlier this year ECOVACS unveiled three new products that helped answer pain points around mopping effectiveness such as suction efficiency and maximum coverage and has just added to its 2025 lineup the DEEBOT X11 Family, led by the DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone that was launched at IFA, Berlin in September.

DEEBOT X11

OmniCyclone

Robotic Vacuum

` PowerBoost industryfirst battery technology with ultra-fast boost charging during mop washing recharging 6% in three minutes

` OZMO ROLLER 2.0 adds an upgraded highdensity nylon mop roller that selfcleans as it mops for deeper stain cleaning

` BLAST suction technology for ultimate cleaning efficiency

` Industry-first OmniCyclone station with bagless emptying into PureCyclone cylinder

` Inbuilt YIKO voice assistant merged with Large Language Model for managing the cleaning journey from set up to scheduling RRP: $2,999

“

Australian consumers are willing to invest in premium options if they deliver true benefits.

”

Australia is one of the first markets to gain access to this new mopping and vacuuming robot that Powell said takes the ECOVACS technology up another step with advancements including integrating ECOVACS BLAST suction technology, unrivalled OZMO Roller 2.0 and a bagless cyclone station.

“What truly sets the OmniCyclone apart is its industry-first PowerBoost fast charging technology which is set to revolutionise the idea of constant-cleaning and a perpetual runtime. By enabling fast charging of the robot, while it is being cleaned during its return to the base station to wash its mop and empty dustbin, consumers can set vacuuming mode to the max, running the DEEBOT day and night, and it will not run out of battery,” she said.

ECOVACS is delivering ‘robotics for all’ with its commitment to three key areas – cleaning, convenience and intelligence.

Product training sessions are important too and supplemented with in-store merchandising and displays which include consumer education messaging, said Powell.

“While our flagship products continue to push the industry forward, we also supplement this with models that deliver features across a range of price points to ensure ECOVACS has a compelling option for consumers that can fit their home needs and budget.

“There is consistently strong appetite in the Australian market for home robotics, especially in floorcare, and we don’t see this growth slowing anytime soon. Australian consumers are willing to invest in premium options if they deliver true benefits to their home cleaning and lifestyle more broadly. ECOVACS is pushing the category forward and addressing cleaning, convenience and intelligence in its innovation strategy, that has been brought to life by the new DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone.

“We offer a diverse family of products which cater to the wide-ranging needs of Australian homes, and closing out 2025 with an incredible new flagship,” Powell said. AR

LG Shannon Tweedie Marketing Manager ANZ

LG is seeing strong demand for cordless handstick models that offer easy grab-and-go convenience, powerful suction, and the ability to switch between floor types without fuss. At the same time, consumers are increasingly embracing wetand-dry functionality, auto-emptying technology, and intuitive features that streamline the cleaning process from start to finish.

“Convenience remains king when it comes to household chores and Australians are looking for vacuum solutions that can keep up with their pace of life. Cleaning tools that are intuitive, compact, and require less effort to operate and maintain are the priorities,” Shannon Tweedie said.

“Handstick vacuums that double as wet mops are increasingly in demand too. Our CordZero A9X-ULTRA2 combines vacuuming with the addition of auto emptying towers and Kompressor technology that allows users to clean quickly and efficiently, while emptying less, saving time and minimising contact with dust.

“We’re also seeing consumers gravitate towards smart features that enhance ease-of-use. With the LG ThinQ app, users can monitor cleaning performance, receive maintenance alerts, and optimise settings to suit their needs. This approach reflects our global approach to AI, known as ‘Affectionate Intelligence’, where technology and AI acts as a helpful partner in daily life.”

Design continues to influence buyer decisions, too, she said. From sleek, space-saving towers to thumb-controlled buttons and telescopic pipes for better ergonomics, consumers are investing in appliances that look good, feel intuitive, and work seamlessly with their home environments.

LG recently launched a refreshed lineup of its CordZero models, which range from entry level to premium models. The top of the range is the CordZero auto emptying handstick with LED Spray Mop + Dual Floor Max Nozzle.

“

Handstick vacuums that double as wet mops are increasingly in demand.

LG

CordZero Handstick with Spray Mop A9X-U

` Automatically empties dustbin into a 2.5L sealed bag

` Seamlessly switches between carpet and hard floors with LED-lit spray mop

` Delivers up to 280W suction power in turbo mode in a lightweight 2.9kg

` ThinQ smart functionality for remote operation via the LG app

` Five-step filtration system captures fine dust and allergens with dust bin capacity from 0.5L to 1.25L

RRP: $1,599

This flagship model is designed to support the evolving needs of Australian households by combining powerful suction, advanced dust management, and multi-surface versatility. The new lineup is part of its broader 2025 range expansion, which delivers solutions for a variety of living spaces and cleaning needs.

For the rest of 2025, LG will be focusing on showcasing the flexibility, innovation, and real-life benefits of the CordZero A9X/L range.

LG will continue to educate consumers on the smart features and powerful performance offered across the lineup, with a spotlight on its newest hero model, the A9X-ULTRA2, supported with digital, in-store and trade campaigns that provide retail partners with the right tools and training to communicate value. The LG training team also offer ongoing face-to-face training having recently completed its national training roadshow.

“Our message is that there is a CordZero handstick vacuum to suit every Australian lifestyle. Whether it’s a quick weeknight tidy-up or a weekend deep clean. For retailers, this means a compelling range for customers that delivers innovation, convenience, and flexibility, with options for every customer type. From first-home buyers to busy families, LG floorcare is designed to make life easier and better, one clean at a time,” Tweedie said. AR

IXL

Malcolm Russell General Manager – Marketing

The robotic floor care category continues to grow with inroads in technology and performance and price driving consumer preference. And according to IXL, iRobot will continue to drive the category, as a legacy brand, in product innovation, consumer communications and after sales service.

Malcolm Russell said price sensitivity has been elevated, particularly in the last 12-18 months where consumers are searching and waiting for deals and offers, as broader macro-economic factors affect discretionary spending. “There appears to be a general cautiousness to purchase, however recent sales events have suggested that consumers are willing to spend, and this may be on the increase, as we come into the November –December selling period.”

iRobot has launched several new SKUs, with an elevated industrial design, technology updates, improved app interface and a product hierarchy across price points from entry level units through to fully featured models.

“ Robotic floorcare continues to grow and is an excellent product to communicate problem-based solutions to consumers. ”

All new robots feature increased suction, improved navigation and fast mapping with ClearView Lidar Navigation, and selected models feature PrecisionVision AI technology. In addition to improved mopping, all robots feature automatic carpet detection and avoidance and object sensing and avoidance capabilities.

The remainder of the year, heading into a very active online and retail sales period, will feature tactical activities to support both product and brand consideration and sales conversion. This activity will be a mix of co-op, search, display, programmatic, email and creator advertising, to drive these specific messages.

“We provide retailers with a comprehensive range of training files to assist with staff training, to support the new product range launch.

“The robotic floorcare category continues to grow and is an excellent product to communicate problem-based solutions to consumers. From time saved opportunities, hard floor mopping challenges or daily scheduling, these devices can be framed for many common cleaning problems and have a price point range to assist with feature step up and higher ASPs,” Russell said. AR

Roomba Max 705 Combo Robot + AutoWash Dock

` PowerSpin roller mop continuously self-cleans with first-of-its-kind protective cover to keep carpets dry and floors mess-free

` Self-cleaning PowerSpin roller mop with PerfectEdge heated mopping, SmartScrub and 13,000 Pa suction

` Eliminates stubborn stains with heated mopping and the PowerSpin roller mop, spinning at 200 RPMs

` ClearView Pro LiDAR builds detailed 3D maps and auto-names rooms for maximised coverage

` PrecisionVision AI technology recognises cords, socks and pet waste and navigates around them, identifies wet and dry messes and repeats cleaning passes

RRP: $2,399

DREAME

Timothy Ley Channel Manager

The floorcare category has demonstrated robust growth globally and in Australia, driven by increased consumer demand for automated, efficient, and eco-friendly solutions. The global floorcare market was valued at $5.272 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $5.414 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61% through to 2033.

The Asia-Pacific region, which includes Australia, accounts for 29% of global market volume, driven by urbanisation and rising disposable incomes. And 41% of buyers opt for AI-integrated devices, and 36% of institutions report Return on Investment within the first year of using automated floor care systems, according to data from Global Growth Insights.

“This growth is largely fueled by the integration of robotics, which accounts for 31% of market expansion, and rising hygiene expectations post-pandemic,” according to Timothy Ley. “In Australia, Dreame has observed a significant shift toward smart vacuum cleaners and automated floor care tools, with over 27% of consumers upgrading to automated solutions in the past year. Dreame has contributed to this trend with products like the Dreame X50 Ultra and L Series, which combines advanced navigation and selfmaintenance features to meet this demand.”

There is a strong preference for hands-free cleaning solutions, with automated floor tools seeing a 43% increase in adoption. Consumers value robots that offer mapping, obstacle avoidance, and self-cleaning capabilities and products that combine vacuuming, mopping, and self-maintenance are also highly sought after.

In Australia, consumers prioritise durability and adaptability to mixed floor types, such as hard floors and carpets, as well as low-noise operation, Ley added.

In the past year Dreame released two robotic cleaning models. Its flagship robot, the Dreame X50 Ultra is engineered for complete autonomy, with industry-first bionic legs, described as delivering unprecedented 60mm obstacle-crossing ability to easily navigate thresholds and tracks. The dual bionic robotic arms extend for perfect edge cleaning, and it also carries a hot water mop washing system. The Dreame L40 Ultra features powerful suction and innovative MopExtend

Dreame Matrix10 Ultra Smart MultiMop Switching Robot Vacuum

` Versatile cleaning with multi-mop switching dock

` Three-solution compartment for multipurpose cleaning

` 100°C ThermoHub selfcleaning mop

` ProLeap 8cm obstacle crossing

` HyperStream detangling DuroBrush

` 30,000Pa suction

RRP: $2,499

“

Consumers value robots that offer mapping, obstacle avoidance, and self-cleaning capabilities.

technology, that travels under furniture to clean hidden areas. It comes with an all-in-one station with auto-emptying, hot water mop washing and a drying system along with advanced navigation that recognises over 120 objects.

At IFA 2025 Dreame announced what it described as its most ambitious portfolio to date that included the industry’s first stair-climbing robot vacuum, AI-driven cordless vacuums and the first robot vacuum with automatic multi-mop switching.

The Bionic QuadTrack Cyber X can climb stairs up to 25cm high and when moving to another floor the vacuum docks on the QuadTrack system that functions like a mini elevator, carrying the vacuum to the next level, with triple braking protection. AR

Miele Guard L1 Comfort XL

Bagged Cylinder Vacuum

` ComfortFit dustbag system developed for the highest hygiene standards with a secure dust tight seal

` Parquet Twister XL (41cm) floorhead for large hard floors

` DynamicDrive rollers for quiet and gentle movement across all flooring types

` HEPA AirClean filter captures 99.999% of dust and allergens

` App integration for smart and effortless maintenance tracking RRP: $1,199

MIELE

Nicola Debono Category Marketing Manager

The floorcare category has performed strongly over the past year, with innovation and sustained consumer demand driving growth, and according to Miele the segment is well-positioned for continued expansion over the next decade.

“There has been a notable and enduring shift toward home hygiene in Australia following Covid, and this behavioural change has influenced both product development and consumer expectations,” Nicola Debono said. “Australians

“

There has been a notable and enduring shift toward home hygiene in Australia following Covid. ”

are deep cleaning more frequently, with heightened attention to allergens and pet-related mess, which is particularly relevant given that one in five households experience allergies and one in three owns a cat or dog.” At the same time, there is growing consumer demand for appliances that blend premium design, advanced filtration, quiet operation and smart connectivity. “Consumers expect more than just cleaning power, they are seeking intelligent solutions that fit seamlessly into their lifestyle,” she said.

In September, Miele launched the Miele Guard series, a next-generation range of premium bagged cylinder vacuum cleaners that blends elegant design with high-performance cleaning.

The Guard range includes three tiers tailored to different lifestyles: the Guard S1: light, compact and perfect for quick cleans and smaller spaces; the Guard M1: powerful and versatile, building on the legacy of the Complete C3 and the Guard L1: the ultimate in convenience and innovation. The Guard L1 Comfort XL has been approved to carry the Sensitive Choice blue butterfly, identifying its potential benefit to people with asthma and allergies.

“Guard is a very exciting product launch for Miele in Australia and will be our key focus for the remainder of the year and represents a new era of hygienic, efficient and stylish floorcare. Launch activity will be amplified through an integrated campaign designed to engage both retailers and customers, and we look forward to sharing more as it rolls out across Australia,” she said. Training materials, which provide an overview of Guard’s key features and benefits, along with support resources, are also available.

“Guard combines powerful performance, stylish finishes and advanced filtration to help households live free from dust and allergens. For retailers, this represents a strong opportunity to engage customers with a next generation product that meets today’s hygiene expectations while driving incremental category value,” Debono said. AR

TINECO

Jade Tang Country Manager ANZ

The floorcare category remains strong in Australia with smart features and new cleaning innovations driving consumer demand for faster, efficient, all-in-one cleaning solutions, and for Tineco the past 12 months has been a period of growth, after significantly increasing the breadth and depth of its range and in-store presence.

“Ease-of-use and cleaning performance are key motivators for floor cleaner purchases. Among the Tineco range, we have found our steam models such as the S7 Steam and the new S9 Artist Steam, continue to be our best sellers for families with small children and pets, due to a preference of steam over solution cleaning,” Jade Tang said. “In addition, the low maintenance appeal of our models with FlashDry technology that deliver self-cleaning are also popular as they solve a long-standing consumer pain point.”

She added that floor cleaners are increasingly being positioned around the home for easy access when a spill needs to be cleaned up, a trend that led to the Floor One S9 Artist Series that combines leading cleaning technologies, as well as an elegant design that suits modern home aesthetics.

“Tineco has been acknowledged as the leader in household wet and dry floor cleaning by Euromonitor International. This is the fastest growing category within floorcare in Australia, and Tineco is positioned for continued growth in this space,” Tang said.

Tineco launched the Floor One S9 Artist Steam and Floor One S9 Artist Pro in July. Described as a milestone for Tineco, it combines the best of its technologies into a flagship product for the first time. This includes cleaning innovations such as HyperStretch, HyerSteam technology, iLoop Smart Sensor and FlashDry technology, plus new features including SmoothDrive technology and Triple Edge cleaning.

Tineco also launched the Carpet One Cruiser that carries Tineco’s signature cleaning technologies like one-button FlashDry selfcleaning and iLoop smart sensor technology. New technologies such as SmoothPower technology and bi-directional assist-wheels are also integrated to improve manoeuvrability across carpeted surfaces. Combined with a repositioned water tank, less effort is required by the user to push and pull the appliance during the carpet cleaning process. It incorporates high temperature PowerDry technology that dries

washed carpets with 75°C heated air to accelerate the drying process, reducing drying time by 50%, helping prevent mould and mildew and allowing carpeted areas to be used sooner.

The company plans to launch more products in 2025, with the S7 Stretch and S7 Stretch Steam products, offering the Stretch functionality and benefits of HyperSteam cleaning at attractive pricing.

Tineco Floor

One S9 Artist Steam Cleaner

` HyperSteam boiler technology heats steam up to 140°C, ensuring it reaches the floor at no less than 99°C effectively dissolving stubborn grease and stains

` Elegant design suits modern homes

` FlashDry technology for self-cleaning at the touch of a button

` HyperStretch with a 180° lay flat design and ultra-slim 12.85cm profile reach under tight spaces

` Triple-sided edge cleaning

RRP: $1,499

Tineco has significantly enhanced its support for retailer partners in Australia, expanding in-store ranging, new point-of-sale, a dedicated Tineco product trainer and local customer service centre. There is also a YouTube channel with videos outlining key product features.

According to Tang, Tineco has never been in more shopfronts or offered a better range than what is on offer now. “It shows that Tineco is invested in growing its presence in Australia and will continue to innovate and collaborate with key retail partners to deliver cleaning solutions that meet consumer demand.” AR

“

Ease-of-use and cleaning performance are key motivators for floor cleaner purchases. ”

HITACHI

Maral Movsessian Commercial Director – Mann & Noble

“We’re seeing two key trends play out in floorcare. First, consumers want lightweight stick vacuums that are easy to manoeuvre for everyday cleaning. Second, there’s growing interest in robot vacuums with mopping functionality. The consistent theme is convenience and performance, paired with value for money,” according to Maral Movsessian, commercial director at Mann & Noble, SDA distribution partner for Beko Australia.

For retailers, this highlights a clear opportunity as consumers prioritise products that help them do more with less effort, while still delivering strong value.

At Hitachi the focus is on two categories: stick vacuums and robot vacuums. “Stick vacuums are still the go-to choice for everyday cleaning, but robots are quickly becoming a must-have. It’s no longer a niche product as shoppers are looking for solutions that work smarter and fit seamlessly into their lifestyles,” she said.

Hitachi has re-entered the floorcare category with new stick vacuums and robot vacuums, designed to meet every day and premium consumer needs.

Hitachi LDS Robot Vacuum Cleaner RV-X20DPBKCG

` LDS navigation mapping

` Auto Dust disposal system

` Powerful suction up to 5000Pa

` Long battery life up to four hours

` Wi-Fi to Home Direct App with cleaning mode and cleaning setting

RRP: $1,099

“ Stick vacuums are still the go-to choice for everyday cleaning, but robots are quickly becoming a must-have. ”

Hitachi stick vacuums are lightweight yet powerful, with extended battery life and strong suction performance, while the new robot vacuums bring advanced navigation, mopping functionality, multiple cleaning modes, and app connectivity.

Hitachi floorcare has launched on Amazon, supported by digital content that helps shoppers understand product features in an online environment. It includes detailed product feature callouts, comparison charts, and engaging imagery, supported by videos that showcase suction power, runtime, robotic navigation, and mopping functionality.

“While we’re not rolling out with traditional in-store material, we’ve invested heavily in clear, accessible online content. The goal is to ensure every shopper on Amazon can quickly see why Hitachi is a smart choice, with information that reinforces the quality and value of our range.”

Movsessian commented that while the Hitachi floorcare range is launching on Amazon, the opportunity for retailers lies in the halo effect this creates.” A trusted global brand entering the market with stick and robot vacuums, backed by a three-year warranty, builds category excitement, raises consumer awareness, and reinforces the strength of floorcare as a growth driver,” she said.

“Consumers are actively looking for reliable, wellfeatured cleaning solutions, and Hitachi brings proven Japanese engineering with the reassurance of a longer warranty than most competitors. Even though our launch is online-first, the awareness generated by Amazon will flow into the broader retail landscape, creating more demand for quality floorcare products overall.”

For the industry, this means heightened shopper engagement, greater visibility for the floorcare category, and a clear signal that Hitachi is here to stay, delivering performance, trust, and value at a time when households are prioritising brands they can rely on, she said. AR

MIDEA

Marcela Pampin

Brand & Marketing Specialist

“The floorcare market is steady with consumers still investing in products that save time and keep their homes clean, especially stick and robot vacuums,” Marcela Pampin said. “Competition has grown, and this is pushing innovation forward.”

She said consumers want products that do more with less effort. “Over the last year we’ve seen strong interest in vacuums with features that minimise day-to-day maintenance, such as autoempty stations, anti-tangle brushes and extended runtimes. And convenience is key; shoppers want technology that fits seamlessly into their routines, rather than adding another chore. At the same time, people are becoming increasingly value conscious. Performance matters, but it needs to come at a fair price, which is why the value-to-performance ratio is driving many floorcare purchase decisions.”

Over the past year, Midea has introduced two products into the category that showcase the company’s focus on making every day cleaning smarter and easier.

The P8 Cordless Stick Vacuum is a go-to solution for households looking for a balance of power and convenience. With a 3L auto empty station, users can go for weeks without having to empty the dust bag. The anti-tangle brush cuts through hair before it wraps around the roller, making it practical for homes with pets. “Add in up to 60 minutes of runtime with an interchangeable battery, multiple cleaning modes and easy maintenance, and it’s a versatile stick vacuum designed for busy lifestyles,” Pampin said.

Midea V15 Pro Ultra Robot Vacuum

` Powerful 16,200Pa suction for deep cleaning performance across all floor types

` FlexiRazor anti-hair tangling brush cuts and prevents hair wrap

` Advanced edge cleaning with ScrubExtend

` IntelliView AI mess classification recognises dirt and adjusts cleaning automatically

` Self-cleaning base station for hygienic and hand-free maintenance.

RRP: $2,399

The V15 Pro Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop is the latest in ‘set-and-forget’ cleaning. With 16,200Pa suction power, it delivers a deep clean across both carpets and hard floors, while AI mess recognition and advanced mapping system ensure it navigates intelligently and adapts to each room. The self-maintenance base station not only empties the dustbin but also washes the mop with 75°C hot water and dries it with 55°C hot air. It also features ScrubExtend for edge cleaning and smart mop lift on carpets.

Together, these products highlight Midea’s commitment to stronger suction, smarter design and effortless maintenance. “They bring premium features into Australian homes at compelling value, reinforcing Midea’s position as the world’s number one Smart Home Appliances Brand, according to Euromonitor International, 2024 data,” she said.

“For retailers, this means having the confidence to recommend products that combine performance and innovation with an accessible price point. It also means having the right tools at hand, from training materials to in-store assets, to make the selling process smoother and faster. Ultimately, our goal is to help retailers offer solutions that customers trust, while reinforcing Midea’s credibility and global leadership.” AR

“ Competition has grown, and this is pushing innovation forward. ”

Bianca Bai Marketing & Communications Manager

The floorcare category has remained resilient over the past year, with steady consumer demand driven by hygiene awareness, convenience, and multi-functionality.

“Consumers are shifting toward devices that combine vacuuming, mopping, and sanitisation, minimising the need for multiple products. Chemical-free cleaning is in high demand too, with steam-based solutions seen as a safe, family-friendly way to disinfect while ease-of-use and maintenance, with features such as self-cleaning rollers and fast drying are increasingly valued,” Bianca Bai said.

“However, most importantly, many consumers worry about whether high-temperature cleaning methods might damage wooden floors. Our new flagship product, the F25 Ultra is TÜV SÜD certified to cause zero damage to solid wood floors, even after simulating five years of use with 18,000 strokes. It eliminates 99.99% of bacteria and reduces 99.9% of allergens through steam cleaning, reflecting consumer priorities around hygiene and peace of mind,” she said.

“

Consumers are shifting toward devices that combine vacuuming, mopping, and sanitisation.

Roborock F25 Ultra

` Industry-first wet & dry vacuum with steam and hot water cleaning modes

` Generates steam in one minute for quick deep cleans

` 22,000Pa suction power for edge-to-edge cleaning

` Tangle-free and streakfree roller for untangling the longest hair

` Five-minute selfcleaning system

RRP: $1,499

“When it comes to robotic vacuums, our latest Saros series demonstrates how innovation is translating directly into everyday consumer benefits. With 22,000Pa HyperForce suction, AI-powered navigation, and advanced anti-tangle brush systems, these robot vacuums deliver consistently deep cleaning across carpets and hard floors.” The Saros Z70 is the first massproduced product with OmniGrip, a five-axis robotic arms that moves obstacles while it cleans, she added. “It also debuts the RetractSense system navigation system that retracts its module to glide under low furniture.”

Roborock’s strategy focuses on three pillars –differentiation, positioning and consumer-centric marketing, with all communications, from in-store demonstrations to digital campaigns, built around consumer pain points and insights. A full suite of training materials includes interactive training videos and QR codes for quick access to product demonstrations, PDF guides and comparison sheets that clearly explain key features and differentiation points along with in-person and virtual training sessions.

These materials are regularly updated with the latest product launches and consumer insights, ensuring partners are fully equipped to represent the Roborock brand in-store and online.

“Our message is clear: offer peace of mind. With the F25 Ultra, retailers can confidently address the two biggest consumer concerns – cleaning effectiveness and floor protection – in a single product. “It’s an innovation that combines hygiene, convenience, and certified safety, making it a compelling choice for customers and a strong growth opportunity for retailers,” Bai said. AR

“Robotic vacuums deliver real value, solving everyday problems while driving category growth.

”

TEMPO

Matt Pearce Product & Marketing Manager

“Our floorcare business has seen strong growth in the past 12 months as consumers embrace robotic vacuums, which is why we’ve partnered with 3i to distribute their robotic range across Australia and New Zealand,” Matt Pearce said.

Speaking further on the 3i robotic vacuums launch scheduled for January 2026, Pearce said the company intended spending the remainder of the year locking in a launch partner and finalising go-to-market plans for the new vacuums while maximising stick vacuum sales. “We are also developing a full suite of training materials for the 3i release.”

To keep track of category performance the company collaborates closely with retail partners.

Australians he said, love a clean home and smart technology. “Robotic vacuums deliver real value, solving everyday problems while driving category growth. As robotic ranges expand, careful assortment planning will be key as we expect to see a softening of stick vacuum sales as consumers increasingly see these products cleaning less regularly and used more as spot cleaners.” AR

3i S10 Ultra Robotic Vacuum

` World first water-recycle floor washing robot vacuum

` All-in-one auto station creates water from ambient air, recycles, sanitises and dries

` Extendable roller mop

` 18,000Pa suction

` Green-light illumination with AI object recognition for over 100 items

RRP: TBC

“

Portable deep cleaners continue to be very popular fuelled by aggressive promotional activity. ”

BISSELL PowerClean FurGuard

` Powerful 280W self-standing stick vacuum

` Illuminates three times more pet fur with FurFinder headlight technology

` Allergy sensitive with HEPA filtration

` Motorised FurFinder upholstery tool plus crevice tool included

` Up to 100 minutes run time via two removable batteries

RRP: $449

BISSELL

Chris Egan Managing Director

“The category has been OK although very dependent on promotional activity”, Chris Egan said. “Trends early in the second half of the year appear stronger possibly encouraged by the lead up to warmer weather plus the clean-up need both before and after Christmas period festivities.”

And the first half appeared to be characterised by cautious spending. “We understand the robot category is performing well especially amongst more premium products.

“Portable deep cleaners continue to be very popular fuelled by aggressive promotional activity. The Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge has resonated strongly with consumers with its wet and dry floor cleaning including zero-millimetre gap edge cleaning. The stick segment is strong too, with new Bissell products stimulating growth,” he said.

“Various retail trade partners share sell-though and trend data but unfortunately limited official market data also limits reliable market estimates. Considering the professionalism of our retail industry there appears to be an opportunity for all to benefit from more comprehensive market data.”

The most popular products Bissell have brought to market is the recent launch of the PowerClean FurFinder and PowerClean FurGuard stick vacuums. “These are two compelling products embodying unique attributes including FurFinder lights, tangle free performance, removable batteries and attractive pricing, which have registered powerful appeal within the largest market segment.”

Bissell is supporting the market with in-store activities and value-add promotions together with online and offline media including TVCs.

“With an improving economy and the festive season approaching, Bissell has the most comprehensive range of cleaning products available across all floorcare categories enabling retailers to maximise results,” Egan said. AR

Cooling

SPLIT SYSTEMS | WINDOW WALL |

CIRCULATORS | PORTABLES

7 YEARS OF COOLING CONFIDENCE

More consumers keeping a cool head

BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

With energy costs a major concern for many, it will be no surprise that energy efficiency was at the forefront of many consumers thinking, when it comes to their cooling product purchase, according to feedback from this feature.

Energy efficiency and appliance quality sit high on cooling values that consumers want most with their air conditioning purchase, according to Samsung research.

Consumers are also utilising their airconditioners more frequently, typically accounting for up to 50% of a household’s energy usage.

Another point of discussion to emerge was split systems, particularly those with inverter technology, that have grown more popular from the significant energy efficiency benefits they offer.

ONE STOP. COOLING SHOP.

TECO

Alessia Mele Marketing Manager

Australians spent around A$3 billion cooling their homes during the 2024/25 summer, almost $190 million more than the year before, according to Finder research. More than three in four households own an air conditioner, with average peak use hitting six hours a day. “These figures reinforce why families are prioritising efficiency, renters are seeking flexible solutions and retailers are stocking brands with national service coverage, good stock management, efficient performance and feature packed products,” according to Alessia Mele.

This behaviour, she said, is mirrored in TECO’s range. The Split models are entirely inverter reverse cycle, with Wi-Fi, Alexa and Google voice control plus outdoor protection through Gold Fin coatings. Portables offer both reverse cycle and cool-only, with built-in Wi-Fi, voice control, Silver Ion filters and ventilation kits. Window wall and Vertical Skinny have been ungraded with inverter options, Wi-Fi control and modern filters, while air curtains are gaining attention in cafés, shops and healthcare as energy-saving solutions.

TECO’s Split range of 2.6 kW, 3.5kW and 5.2kW models are compliant with Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) giving retailers and customers an additional incentive when selling or installing in that region. “For retailers, these features translate directly into stronger outcomes on the floor as this year-round capability makes the system easier to justify to customers.”

Window Wall remains a strong category, a space pioneered by TECO, ensuring customers get a modern performance without major renovations. The 14-model range spans 1.6-6.1kW and includes inverter reverse cycle models and cool-only units designed for easy change over.

Portable cooling continues to be one of the most dynamic categories each summer, driven by renters, students and households who want comfort they can take home immediately. “For these buyers, flexibility and speed is everything and TECO’s portables are designed to meet that

TECO 2.6kW Split System TWSTSO26H3DVKT

` DC Inverter technology

` Gold fin protection

` 6:1 health filter

` Built-in Wi-Fi

` I-Feel “Follow Me” RRP: $1,199

demand.” The range offers reverse cycle and cool-only units, in 2.05–4.6kW capacities. Other features common to these units are Wi-Fi, voice control and Silver Ion filtration – “an increasingly relevant consideration for families and students with a ventilation kit so everything the customer needs to get started comes in the box”.

For retailers, this category is about dependable turnover and protected margins. Plug-and-play simplicity makes the sale easy to explain and quick to demonstrate. Smart connectivity gives staff an instant selling point. And with reliable operation, portables are less likely to come back as returns. The result is a high-rotation line that boosts seasonal revenue, brings repeat foot traffic and strengthens store profitability during peak demand.

Apartments and rentals with sliding windows often leave customers with no viable cooling option, but TECO claims to fill that gap with the Vertical Skinny, a slim-profile system specifically for secure use in sliding windows.

Small businesses, cafés and healthcare providers are increasingly conscious of energy costs and hygiene which has led the company into making air curtains retail-ready, turning what was once a niche into a growth opportunity.

“TECO is the ‘One stop cooling shop’ for retailers and their customers that is delivered from four pillars: proven product quality, reliable stock availability, national support coverage and clear service and warranty structures.”

TECO’s overall message to the market is simple: “give every shopper a reason to say yes and give every retailer the confidence to satisfy customer needs”, Mele said. AR

TCL Martin Patience Business Manager – Air Conditioning

The cooling market has experienced a decline over the past year, including last summer, however TCL air conditioning has continued to grow strongly, Martin Patience said, driven by a focus on developing innovative products and keeping them at an affordable price point, which helped appeal to a wider range of customers.

“We have noticed that customers are increasingly looking for value in their purchases while still expecting modern technology. Energy efficiency, smart features with reliable performance top of mind for many buyers. TCL is positioned to meet these needs by offering advanced technology in products that remain affordable.

“For sales data tracking TCL monitors sales and listens to customer feedback. From these, we can see clear signs that buyers are seeking dependable products with strong features at a reasonable price, and that is where TCL has been able to perform well,” Patience said.

TCL has launched new models that deliver improved efficiency and include AI technology to make operation simpler and smarter for customers, with more products planned for 2026.

“Our strategy is to continue to provide affordably priced premium products with a focus on advanced technology and strong energy efficiency. We’ve also introduced a 7-year warranty on all split system models, subject to terms and conditions, which we believe will give customers extra confidence and peace of mind when choosing TCL.

“We encourage retailers to look at the overall value a product offers, including features, price, efficiency, and warranty and TCL air conditioning provide a strong mix of all these, giving retailers confidence in what they’re selling, and customers confidence in what they’re buying,” he said. AR

DE’LONGHI Company spokesperson

As a category, fans performed very strongly, and for De’Longhi it was portable air conditioners and dehumidifiers where there is growth and the strongest performance.

TCL BreezeIN 2.0 Series

Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners

` T-AI energy-saving technology with up to 37% energy savings compared to non-T-AI inverter models

` Air purification filter for optimal dust and pollutant removal

` Gentle Breeze mode delivers a broader, draftfree, gentle spread of air

` Smart connectivity with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and TCL Home App

` Turbo Start mode for fast heating and cooling

RRP: From $699

Consumers are shopping in various ranges of the cooling category. They are either looking for a cheap product to suit their cooling needs or a more expensive model which has multiple features and functions. According to a company spokesperson shoppers want longevity in their products to ensure they can be used for multiple seasons.

Marketing strategies include having large product weight in stock, with bulk stacks and informative point of sale to help aid in shopper decisions. As the season heats up, there is a need to ensure sufficient floor stock is available early to capitalise on the change in season and accommodate the shift in demand for cooling products.

With the increased cost of living and households getting smaller, compact portable air conditioners are becoming a better option to cool frequently used rooms within the household, including apartments. With many not having the option to install ducted or wall mounted air conditioners due to rental restrictions a portable air conditioner offers a great alternative with no technician installation required. AR

` Powerful cooling with three fan speeds for medium and large rooms

` Easy DIY installation with window kit

` Cool surround technology with smartsensing remote to optimise conditions

` Wi-Fi connectivity

` Multifunctional use with dehumidifying and fan-only modes

RRP: $1,429

ONE STOP. COOLING SHOP.

Fujitsu General Lifestyle Next

` Seven models from 2.5kW to 9.5kW cooling capacity

` Smart Climate Control using the myanywAiR Next app

` Human Sensor control

` R32 refrigerant

` Cooling operation up to 50°C ambient temperature

RRP: From $2,069

FUJITSU GENERAL

Peter Cashel

Executive General Manager - Sales

The cooling category is seeing strong momentum driven by consumer demand for comfort, efficiency, and smarter climate control. However, energy efficiency remains a top priority, with many consumers seeking air conditioning systems that deliver powerful cooling while keeping electricity bills in check.

Smart cooling features like app-based control, voice activation, and adaptive cooling, where systems adjust output based on room occupancy or ambient conditions, are becoming increasingly popular. “Innovations such as Human Sensor Control and economy mode are no longer just nice-to-haves; they’re expected features that help households stay cool without compromising on energy use”, according to Peter Cashel.

A balanced approach to affordability, smart technology, and energy efficiency is also essential with a focus on delivering smart, energy-efficient cooling solutions that suit a variety of Australian homes. Fujitsu General’s Multi Systems offer a flexible alternative to ducted systems, which is ideal for homes where ducted isn’t practical. These systems can connect multiple indoor units, for up to five rooms, to a single outdoor unit, providing tailored comfort across different rooms while saving space and energy.

Fujitsu General is also continuing to invest in smart technology, like Wi-Fi-enabled units that work with the myanywAiR Next app, giving users control over scheduling and settings from anywhere.

“In the coming months, consumers are expected to prioritise air conditioning systems that offer energy savings, smart connectivity, and healthier indoor environments, and affordability will remain key; consumers are increasingly looking for solutions that integrate with smart home platforms and help manage running costs,” he said.

As the weather shifts and allergy season begins, health-conscious families will also focus more on their air quality. Fujitsu General’s advanced filtration systems, including the Apple-Catechin filter approved by Sensitive Choice, are designed to reduce airborne allergens and improve overall comfort, making them a compelling choice for year-round wellbeing. These smart cooling solutions are easily controlled via smartphone or tablet using the myanywAiR Next app. This enhances control and convenience, letting users manage their air conditioning from their smartphone with features like remote access, scheduling, geofencing, and performance tracking. It also integrates with smart home assistants for hands-free operation.

This technology pairs with Fujitsu General’s new Multi 5 Room Systems, which combined with geolocation and AI-driven maintenance reminders, deliver personalised comfort, improved energy efficiency and healthier indoor air. AR

As the weather shifts and allergy season begins, health-conscious families will also focus more on their air quality.

MILNERS

Kirsten Ewen Brand Manager

Air Circulator sales for Vornado run year-round, according to Kirsten Ewen. And this has been the case for around two years. “Our retail partners took note of this in 2023 and now stock Vornado in-store year-round. Summer sales are higher than winter and we see this increase from September to February. Vornado has experienced a 30% increase in sales, year-on-year since Covid, with pedestal and DC motor options responsible for most of the growth.”

Efficiency and multi-use are high on the wish list for more consumers too. Vornado air circulators can be used year-round by leveraging Vortex action technology to improve air circulation for summer cooling and winter heating, and to enhance overall room ventilation. In summer, it circulates cool air from air conditioners and in winter, distributes warm air from heaters to eliminate cold spots and reduce energy consumption.

“

Efficiency and multi-use are high on the wish list for more consumers.

Vornado has introduced 03DC remote control air circulators too in response to demand for low energy use models. Vornado also introduced the RTR Heavy-Duty air circulator for outdoor use – a unit that prevents the buildup of fumes, directing air into and out of workspaces and dry wet paint and floors.

This summer will see the launch of the Vornado AXL fan with vertical airwave oscillation. It harvests the coolest air near the ground and draws it upwards where it can be enjoyed. “We packed AXL with twin blowers and two brushless DC motors, and the result is an invigorating airflow experience with the versatility of powerful high speed or exceptionally quiet lower settings.”

Ewen added that Vornado is built with a unique design and Vortex Action technology that generates powerful whole-room air circulation. Its stationary position is what allows the Vornado to generate constant airflow in the space, ensuring everyone in the room can feel the cooling effects.

“Vornado units can be used on their own or in conjunction with current home cooling or heating systems to increase their efficiency all year round. It’s a unit that doesn’t compare to anything on the market.” AR

Vornado STRATA High-Velocity Air Circulator with Oscillation

` Selectable 90º or 180º oscillation

` Five airflow settings

` Omnidirectional RF remote with magnetic cradle

` Powerful DC motor

` Quiet – 32dB on low

` Five-year replacement warranty

RRP: $279

HISENSE

Stephanie Guo Deputy Marketing Manager

The increasingly hot climate, especially during summer months, has heightened demand for split systems which have grown more popular in the last 12 months as a practical and efficient cooling option, without the costly and extensive ductwork required by central systems, was the Hisense overview of the local market.

Australians are utilising their air-conditioners more frequently and typically accounting for up to 50% of a household’s energy usage. As a result, split systems, particularly those with inverter technology have grown more popular from the significant energy efficiency benefits they offer.

“Customers are increasingly demanding reversecycle capabilities, providing both heating and cooling. This dual functionality has been especially impactful in Victoria, where research from the Environment Victoria NFP indicates households could save between $999 to $2,215 annually by switching from gas heating to reversecycle air conditioning,” Stephanie Guo said.

Hisense has also observed a growing need to provide targeted comfort in a specific room, like a home office or nursery, without needing to run the whole system, she said, compounded by growth in intergenerational households.

Performance and energy have been key drivers for customers too, while regional customers prioritise economy mode/inverter control features and longlasting air filters.

Hisense AirQ Series Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners

` Hi-Nano purification reduces allergens, mould, bacteria and dust

` Self-cleaning technology keeps the system hygienic for families, children and anyone sensitive to air quality

` Air Q reacts quickly to heat, cold, or humidity with Smart Airflow for all-over comfort, and top-ranked energy efficiency

` Control is easy via ConnectLife App, voice, or geofencing

` Corrosion-resistant, pest-protected outdoor design delivers long-term durability

RRPs: From $999

“More innovative connectivity features such as human presence sensor, connection with smart devices and voice control are sought after by younger consumers aged 18-39 who are moving into their first homes. Demand for a self-clean function has been particularly significant, and Hisense has focused development on this feature with the introduction of its Hi-Nano purification and self-cleaning technologies.

“A large portion of recently purchased air conditioners have been reverse-cycle, and we envisage the trend of reverse-cycle models rises to become up-to 76% of all models sold,” Guo said. “Seven out of 10 Australians locate the split-system air conditioners in the living or main family room, followed by the master bedroom, dining room or child’s room. And given the high traffic of these spaces, innovative features like follow/avoid and quiet modes, introduced into the latest Hisense air conditions are sought after.”

While 2.5kW and 3.5kW were popular choices pre-Covid, Hisense has seen a marked shift to higher cooling capacity models like 4kW or 5kW, that are quickly becoming the main air conditioning unit of the household.

The AirQ Series launched in August 2025, offers powerful and quick cooling and heating performance when it is needed, while keeping air fresh and healthy through its Hi-Nano purification technology.

“Hisense is committed to investing in marketing and advertising support to continue growing it presence in the retail environment, Guo said, “combining innovation with user-focused features,” she said. AR

PANASONIC

Reggie Lam Product Marketing Manager

With the second-hottest summer on record this year, consumer demand for cooling has remained strong, not just during the peak season but throughout the last twelve months.

And in line with Australia’s varied climate, Panasonic has seen growing interest in consistent, year-round comfort, with consumers choosing across heating, ventilation and air conditioning solutions, to deliver both heating and cooling.

“Consumers have become more considered in their purchasing decisions across the category,” Reggie Lam said. “Today’s highly competitive retail environment now offers greater choice, driving sharper comparisons between brands and their features.

“With rising labour and installation costs, air conditioning is increasingly seen as a significant investment, even a luxury purchase, rather than a standard household inclusion,” he said.

Value is under greater scrutiny too, with buyers assessing solutions on efficiency, comfort, and lifestyle benefits, beyond upfront cost or basic cooling performance. Consumers also expect more than heating and cooling alone, and demand is growing for air purification and smart control.

“There are more Gen Z consumers entering the property market, exploring their first HVAC solutions as they integrate air conditioning into their homes. This generation brings heightened expectations: seamless smart integration through personal devices and energy efficiency that deliver both convenience and conscious comfort,” Lam said.

“Panasonic is well placed to meet these needs. Our Cloud Comfort app puts complete control at users’ fingertips, enabling them to manage their home environment from their device while optimising their system for maximum efficiency.

“To bring these benefits to life, we are developing case studies featuring young homeowners who have recently chosen Panasonic, showcasing how our solutions seamlessly enhance modern lifestyles.”

Panasonic continues to invest in retailer education, using practical case studies that demonstrate how its products deliver comfort and efficiency in real-world settings.

Recent highlights include an installation at a Mornington Peninsula winery, an energyefficient house build in Wagga Wagga, and unique residential projects such as Shag Manor.

These case studies equip retailers with compelling customer stories, making it easier to communicate the value of Panasonic’s technology across a variety of environments.

“Our nanoe X technology, integrated across our systems, purifies indoor air by generating Hydroxyl Radicals (OH) that neutralise airborne pollutants, viruses, bacteria, odours and allergens. In simple terms: our customers enjoy cleaner, healthier air alongside lasting comfort,” he said. AR

Panasonic’s Z Series Reverse-Cycle Air Conditioner CS/CU-Z25XKR

` nanoe X air-purifying solution suitable for those with asthma or allergies

` Comfort cloud app with built in Wi-Fi

` Inverter technology

` Eco mode

` New matte finish and compact design

RRP: $1,369

SAMSUNG

Mike Lilly Head of Air Conditioning.

The cooling category has remained steady, consistent with previous years. In Victoria, demand has been driven by the government energy rebate scheme, particularly boosting ducted system installations while in Queensland, it’s continued growth of split systems, has been supported by the rapid expansion of communities and urban developments as well as the state’s warmer climate.

Speaking further on the market was Mike Lilly who said: “Consumer focus continues to be on energy-efficient solutions, both to reduce operating costs and to align with sustainability goals. We are also seeing increased demand for AI-driven and connected smart home technology, where consumers want smart control, remote access, and features that optimise performance automatically. Additionally, government rebate programs are incentivising the shift from gas to electric systems, supporting the broader move toward more energy efficient homes.

“Samsung is advancing our larger scale solutions with new DVM (Digital Variable Multi) systems. While not retail facing, these innovations reflect our commitment to delivering efficient, high performance cooling technology across a variety of applications.

Samsung GEO WindFree Reverse Cycle Split System Air Conditioners with Wi-Fi

` SmartThings energy

` WindFree cooling

` WindFree Good Sleep mode

` Purification with Tri-Care filters

` Auto clean prevents buildup of bacteria and odours

RRP: From $1,099

“Our strategy will continue to centre on the areas consumers value most: connected home integration and energy efficiency. Samsung’s own research shows that 53% of consumers are seeking high energy efficiency when seeking air conditioning solutions, 58% are prioritising high quality, and 42% are looking for extended warranties. With this in mind, we are enhancing education around the benefits of AI technology for energy savings, while also reassuring customers with durability features like a 10-year warranty. At a product level, we emphasise the comfort advantages of WindFree technology – a first and only in the market – which delivers quieter operation, energy savings, and unique modes like WindFree Good Sleep to create the perfect environment for rest, especially as we head into the warmer months,” he said.

“It’s important to work closely with customers to qualify their specific requirements, ensuring they are recommending the right capacity and the right technology for their needs. By highlighting Samsung’s leadership in AI driven energy efficiency, and the benefits of coordinating their cooling with a connected home ecosystem, retailers can deliver real value.

“With our consolidated line-up, including Geo WindFree, we’re making it easier than ever to match the right product with customer’s needs,” Lilly said.

The WindFree range is exclusive to Harvey Norman. AR

Wine & Beverages

DUAL ZONE | CONDITIONERS | CELLARS

A toast to new opportunities

BY KYMBERLY MARTIN

The Australian wine market, valued at $A2.92 billion in 2024, has experienced notable growth, and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 3.87% from 2025 to 2034, reaching $A4.27 billion by 2034, according to Expert Market Research

And new business is coming from the growing trend to entertaining outdoors as consumers enhance their outdoor living space with wine cabinets and beverage cabinets. And that bar fridge is long gone from today’s modern kitchen, replaced with underbench wine cabinets and integrated models.

Designed For Wine

Lovers, By Wine Lovers

Vintec is Australia’s leading specialist and expert in climate-controlled wine cellars, which also offers unique wine experiences, benefits and services to accompany you along your wine journey.

ELECTROLUX

Agape Pappas

Consumer Marketing Manager – Specialty

Consumer demand for wine cabinets has outpaced the broader refrigeration market, with strong growth over the past year. This reflects rising awareness of the category, as well as growing consumer interest and education around wine preservation, according to Electrolux.

“We’re seeing strong momentum in the mid to smaller capacity segments, with many consumers choosing these models as a fantastic entry point. An emerging trend we’ve identified is secondary purchases, where consumers return for a second cabinet as their collections expand and their needs evolve,” Agape Pappas said.

“Our data shows sustained year-on-year growth for wine cabinets, with the past 12 months in particular outpacing the broader refrigeration market.”

Vintec Luxe

Dual Zone

Wine Cabinet

VWD820SCB

` Keeps red and white wines and sparkling at optimal drinking temperatures

` Stores up to 40 Bordeaux style bottles

` Quiet inverter processor

` Fully extendable three-tier shelves on telescopic runners

` Air filter protects wine from stale odours

RRP: $3,199

“ An emerging trend we’ve identified is secondary purchases. ”

Planned activations for consumers and Vintec Club members, include new Vintec brand ambassador, Tyson Stelzer. “We’re excited to have Tyson onboard with Vintec as one of Australia’s most awarded wine communicators. He is a wine writer, TV presenter, and international speaker who’s penned 15 books and contributes to prestigious publications like Wine Spectator and Decanter. He’s also behind Qantas’ First-Class Champagne list and the sparkling reviewer for the Halliday Wine Companion. If it’s sparkling, Tyson’s probably judged it, written about it, or poured it!”

There are two new deluxe wine cabinets, the Luxe and the Noire. The Luxe model can be set for cellaring all wines or serving red or white wines at the ideal drinking temperatures. It also features a transparent anti-UV double-glazed door to prevent light damage, an air filter to protect wines from stale odours and energy efficient UV-free LED lighting with three dimmable settings. The Noire 35-bottle wine cabinet carries intuitive touch controls, UV-free LED lighting, an opaque glass door and natural beechwood shelving for minimal vibration.

Vintec offers a range of underbench wine cabinets for all needs, from those intending to purchase their first wine cabinet, who want to upgrade or need additional storage.

“Vintec provides a holistic owner experience for all wine lovers and has been doing so, for over 20 years. Vintec’s premium wine cabinets ensure wine lovers enjoy their treasured collection, as the winemaker intended,” she said. AR

WORLDWIDE APPLIANCES

Daniel Bertuccio Marketing Manager

Wine cellars, more specifically beverage product categories have experienced solid growth in the past year with the biggest gains coming from a move to the ‘great outdoors’, according to Daniel Bertuccio.

This lifestyle trend is being driven by consumers’ increasing desire for creating spaces designed for entertaining and a growing appreciation for wine preservation and integrated products into kitchen and living areas. “Artusi, Everdure and Fhiaba have benefitted from this with Fhiaba’s luxury wine preservation solutions and Artusi and Everdure’s accessible, design-led models resonating strongly in the market,” he said.

With more Australians investing in home entertaining, products that can accommodate both wine and other beverages are in high demand. Flexibility in shelving and the ability to tailor storage for different bottle types are standard expectations, particularly in the premium segment as well as products that can cope with the harsh Australian climate, especially in tropical locations. There’s also a strong move towards fully integrated solutions in beverage and wine cabinets as consumers seek seamless, built-in solutions that complement modern kitchen and living room designs.

“We do this by working with our partners and listening to what they are seeing in consumer trends. We also have the added benefit of benchmarking this category, in particular beverage,

Fhiaba Wine Cellar UCW602

` Dual Zone climate control

` Integrated, modular design

` Meticulous build quality from premium materials

` Advanced preservation technology

` Smart Touch controls and intuitive operation

RRP: $8,359

“

Wine and beverage cabinets have become a ‘must have’ and should be considered along the sales journey.

”

against our BBQ and outdoor living product sales, so we can gain a valuable insight into what customers are looking for,” Bertuccio said.

Artusi has launched a new range of wine cellars along with updates to beverage cabinets with integrated models coming in early 2026. These are designed to meet the needs of both casual entertainers and wine enthusiasts across beverage and wine categories.

And there is more. Fhiaba is heading outdoors with a premium wine preservation, beverage and food storage offering. These models will incorporate all the standard technology of the company’s indoor products including humidity and temperature control systems, UV-resistant glass, and customisable solutions like cured meat storage and quality cheese storage. And these products have the discerning wine collector and the design-focused consumer firmly in mind.

“Much like our focus on refrigeration, retailer engagement is high on our list, as we work with retail partners on range understanding and provide training collateral to support this. Digital resources and point-of-sale materials to help partners confidently sell the benefits of our range of products across all brands area also available. Collaborations are also part of our strategy as well as working with architects, designers, and builders to ensure our latest products are specified early in the project cycle, particularly in premium and renovation segments.”

Digital Product Guides (PDFs) detailing product specifications and unique selling points for Artusi, Everdure and Fhiaba products are all online. Video tutorials demonstrating key features, customisation options and best maintenance practices are available online and via social platforms.

“Wine and beverage cabinets have become a ‘must have’ and should be considered along the sales journey, having moved beyond something just for luxury homes but becoming a part of kitchen and outdoor living design. Retailers who understand this will be best positioned to capture this growing segment,” he said. AR

Discover the new Luxe and Noire Range

Designed in Sweden, the new versatile and stylish Underbench Range is created to deliver ideal storage solutions that fit effortlessly into modern living spaces and includes a 5-year compressor warranty for added peace of mind.

5 YEAR WARRANTY

MIELE

Emily Alonzo Head of Category Marketing

“Within the broader refrigeration category, the wine and beverage segment is comparatively small but is experiencing steady growth, with momentum across both freestanding and under bench formats,” Emily Alonzo said.

“Home entertainment and indoor-outdoor living have long been deeply embedded in the Australian culture, and this has only intensified postpandemic. Rising food prices and the higher cost of dining out have seen consumers investing more in at home experiences, while a shift toward healthier lifestyles has fuelled demand for fewer, yet more premium food and wine occasions at home.”

Australians are increasingly choosing to safeguard their investment in premium wine with superior quality integrated wine fridges. This reflects a broader desire for a luxury in-home lifestyle, with the kitchen and bar becoming a source of pride for design-savvy consumers and generous hosts alike, she said.

“Home entertainment and indooroutdoor living have long been deeply embedded in the Australian culture.

Miele MasterCool Integrated Wine Conditioner KWT 2672 VIS

` Three independently controlled zones

` Push2Open door-opening system

` SommelierSet for professional presentation and serving ` BrilliantLight that illuminates the interior

` Miele@home – Wi-Fi enabled

RRP: $17,499

At the same time, the seamless integration of wine and beverage cabinets delivers functionality, practicality and connectedness, appealing to homeowners who are upgrading with premium kitchen renovations to enhance liveability and add value to their property.

Marketing plans are focused on supporting retailers and meeting the evolving needs of consumers through premium and innovative solutions. Retailer support comprises a training reference guide library that highlights pages outlining product features and benefits, as well as a product overview comparison page designed to support retailers in communicating the value of the range.

“At Miele, we see more consumers looking to complete their dream kitchen and preserve their premium wine investment with a fully integrated wine and beverage cabinet. For retailers, this represents an opportunity to drive incremental category value by guiding customers towards premium, design-led solutions in this growing segment,” she said. AR

“

Customers are no longer settling for small-capacity models that only cover their immediate needs.

LE CAVIST

Thibaut Caumont

Brand & Marketing Manager

While global wine consumption has softened, demand for proper storage continues to grow. “At LeCavist, we see consumers drinking less by volume but choosing better quality wines to be kept and cherished for longer,” Thibaut Caumont said.

“Customers today know exactly what they want: multi-zone solutions for Champagne and Bordeaux, built-in designs for modern kitchens, and features that balance lifestyle with tradition. In Australia, changing tastes are driving demand which is perfectly suited to LeCavist’s dual- and multi-zone cabinets.

“At the heart of this evolution is LeCavist’s mission: to help every wine lover – from Bordeaux Grands Crus to boutique finds – cellar and serve their wines under the right conditions. With cabinets from 14 to 303 bottles, we make it easy to step into proper wine preservation,” he said.

Over the past year, LeCavist has noticed wine lovers wanting more versatile, future-proof cellars, often with mix-and-match zones to suit everything from Champagne to reds. Collecting is becoming less about investment and more about building a personal, meaningful collection that reflects taste and milestones. However, newcomers are less hesitant to step into the world of cellaring, “and that’s where LeCavist comes in because we make the experience simple, approachable, and fun, while holding true to one principle: no bottle isn’t worth keeping in the right conditions”.

Customers are no longer settling for smallcapacity models that only cover their immediate needs. Instead, they’re investing in larger, futureproof cellars that can grow with them as their appreciation for wine deepens. “For many, it’s about creating space to store better quality wines that they want to cherish and enjoy for longer, rather than buying for short-term consumption.”

LeCavist makes it simple for newcomers to step into wine cellaring, while also offering serious collectors the capacity and precision they need.

“Our message is clear: whether you’re starting small or building a long-term collection, LeCavist is here to ensure every bottle is kept, and served, in the right conditions.”

LeCavist has expanded its range to reflect how wine collections are not just stored, but showcased, and introduced more Label View wine cabinets, designed to make every bottle visible.

These new models are fully customisable, with colours and shelving options that can be tailored to match the atmosphere of any room, from a contemporary home cellar to a premium hospitality venue.

“Our message to retailers is clear, always make it personal. We all know a few wine regions so don’t hesitate to drop a name, ask which bottles they’re excited about, or open a conversation. Wine is a never-ending subject, and that personal touch turns a simple sale into the start of your customer’s own cellaring journey,” Caumont said. AR

LeCavist Label View Wine Cabinet

LCS155VN1ZPRO

` Strong telescopic shelves

` 157 bottle capacity for every bottle type

` Anti-UV and anti-vibration technology

` Constant humidity, airflow and precise temperature

` Single zone -5 to 20°C.

RRP: $3,599

OUTLOOK

Consumers switching on to energy efficiency

A survey by Canstar Blue revealed that nearly 70% of Australians prioritise energy efficiency when buying new refrigerators, with a shift towards 5-star energy-rated models. There has been a pickup in sales for multi drawer and French door categories, according to Mitsubishi, especially when it comes to feature-rich, premium solutions, along with growing demand for compact French door models, specifically designed for apartment living. Products backed by class-leading warranties have become increasingly important too. Aside from ASPs under a bit of pressure, and a drop in demand for top and bottom mounts leading to a more competitive scenario, Electrolux noted that the consumer with upgrade intentions is also being reflected in strong growth for French door and side-by-side fridges.

ELECTROLUX

Stephen Davies Category Manager – Food Preservation

“Over the past 12 months, refrigeration has continued to perform positively, with demand in the category still growing, albeit at a steadier pace than in previous years. While average selling prices remain under pressure, the declines have eased compared to the sharper drops we’ve seen in prior periods. Interestingly, we’re seeing a softening of demand in some of the more traditional entry segments, such as top mounts and bottom mounts. This shift has created a more competitive environment within those segments, even as the overall category remains healthy,” Stephen Davies said.

“Over the past year, many households have navigated some challenging economic conditions, but we’re now seeing encouraging signs of recovery. In particular, the upgrader consumer is beginning to re-enter the market, which is creating positive momentum. This shift is reflected in stronger growth within the more premium segments, such as French door and large-capacity side-by-side refrigerators, which better align with the needs and aspirations of these consumers.

“Our data shows that demand has remained positive, with single-digit growth in unit volumes. At the same time, we’ve seen a slight decline in overall value, which highlights that average selling prices remain under pressure. While consumers are still buying, the ongoing challenge for the category is navigating those softer ASPs,” he said.

“We’re very proud of our recent launch of a best-in-class side-by-side range featuring a 6-star energy rating. We know how important energy efficiency is for households, both for sustainability and for the positive impact it has on the family budget. And our new undercounter Vintec lineup are our most advanced wine cabinets yet. Highlights include a new panel-ready model that allows seamless integration into custom cabinetry, and a 40-bottle Dual Zone cabinet that can be set for cellaring or for serving reds and whites at their ideal drinking temperatures.”

Electrolux

Side-by-Side Refrigerator

WSE6200SB

` 6-star energy rating saves on running costs while reducing environmental impact

` 624L capacity

` Dual fresh crispers to keep fruit and vegetables fresher for longer

` Convenient twist and serve ice makers

` Quick Chill and Quick Freeze functions

RRP: $1,799

“Our message to retailers is that we’re starting to see the upgrader consumer re-enter the market.

The company is also preparing to enter the integrated refrigeration market with a new AEG range. This includes two integrated bottommount options and a slot-in quad door, designed to complement the cooking line-up and give consumers a truly holistic kitchen solution.

“We’re really focused on delivering value for consumers during the key trading periods of Black Friday and Boxing Day, while also helping to create strong in-store momentum for our retail partners. At the same time, we’re excited to introduce our new AEG refrigeration line-up, which perfectly complements our cooking range and gives consumers a complete, seamless kitchen solution.

“Our message to retailers is that we’re starting to see the upgrader consumer re-enter the market, which is a really encouraging sign. These highervalue customers are looking for larger capacity and more premium refrigeration solutions, and their return has the potential to positively lift the category. By focusing on meeting their needs, we can create a great opportunity for both retailers and the market as a whole,” he concluded. AR

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC

Hale Mehmet

Marketing & Communications Manager

The refrigeration category has delivered exceptional performance over the past 12 months, significantly outperforming the results of the prior year. This growth has been particularly pronounced in the premium segments, with both multi drawer and French door categories experiencing strong expansion that reflects sustained consumer appetite for feature-rich, premium solutions.

And, according to Mitsubishi Electric, what is particularly encouraging is that this growth has occurred despite broader market pressures, demonstrating the resilience of quality-focused brands and the continued willingness of Australian consumers to invest in appliances that deliver long-term value and performance.

“While the commodity segment has gained market share, inevitably placing downward pressure on average selling prices and retail margins, discerning Australian consumers continue to demonstrate a clear preference for premium models that offer genuine innovation, convenience, and proven reliability,” was the response on the market from Hale Mehmet.

“Products backed by class-leading warranties have become increasingly important to households seeking both quality assurance and peace of mind in their purchasing decisions. This trend reflects a more mature, value-conscious consumer base that understands the long-term economics of appliance ownership,” she said.

“The most significant behavioural shift we’ve witnessed is the growing demand for compact French door solutions specifically designed for apartment living. Traditionally, smaller living spaces defaulted to two-door configurations, and even those in compact homes, are choosing French door designs that provide superior flexibility and storage optimisation without compromising on capacity or functionality.

“This shift reflects changing lifestyle expectations and the recognition that premium features shouldn’t be sacrificed solely due to space constraints. The strong performance of our compact MR-WX470F multi-drawer refrigerator serves as compelling evidence of this evolving consumer mindset, with sales data clearly supporting the transition toward premium compact solutions,” Mehmet added.

Mitsubishi Multi Drawer

Refrigerator MR-WX470F

` Supercool freezing drawer with hot and soft freezing functions

` VitaLED vegetable drawer with LED technology slows down the wilting process to keep fruits and vegetables fresher for longer

` Automatic ice maker and drawer without plumbing requirements with easy access storage drawer

` Supercool chilling case for storing meat, fish or other perishable food at -3˚C to 0˚C without freezing

` Smart Cube technology with vacuum insulation panel maximises internal capacity without compromising efficiency

RRP: $3,299

Key releases include the MR-HS/HGS421EX bottom mount range, that features a 50:50 two-door design that matches more with standard Australian benchtops for an integrated appearance. Another is the MR-LX442EX compact French door, available in three options.

“This model directly addresses the compact French door trend identified, for apartment living and smaller kitchen spaces with premium features previously reserved for larger models.” The flagship MR-WX700C multi drawer model was expanded too with a Diamond Black colour option.

Company strategy remains focused on premium multi drawer and French door segments, that offer the most significant opportunities for sustainable growth and margin protection. “These categories align perfectly with evolving consumer priorities: health-conscious households seeking advanced food preservation capabilities, design-aware consumers who view their refrigerator as a key kitchen feature, and quality-focused buyers who understand the value proposition of superior engineering and materials. We are targeting consumers who prioritise versatility in food storage solutions, a demographic that represents the sweet spot for premium refrigeration.”

For the fourth consecutive year, Mitsubishi Electric has been recognised by CHOICE as ‘Best Brand for Fridges’, that Mehmet said carries significant weight with Australian consumers, “providing retailers with a powerful selling advantage”.

“However, awards alone don’t drive sales. We remain dedicated to supporting our retail partners with comprehensive in-store product training, in today’s competitive landscape,” she said. AR

HITACHI

Mark Beard Senior Product Specialist

Over the past 12 months, the refrigeration category has faced a challenging and shifting landscape. While overall market performance has remained relatively flat, with some indications of slight decline, the more notable trend has been a clear polarisation in consumer demand.

Retail partners have highlighted that shoppers are increasingly gravitating towards either the premium end of the market or the more affordable entry-level options. The “middle ground” of refrigeration – once a stable and reliable segment – has softened, as customers make more deliberate choices about where to invest, according to Mark Beard.

“The top end is being driven by consumers seeking innovation, design, and added convenience. At the other end of the spectrum, the cost-of-living environment has seen value-conscious buyers leaning into competitively priced, reliable solutions.”

He said for retailers, this reinforces the importance of a well-curated product mix. Ranging strategies that emphasise both compelling value propositions and premium differentiation will be crucial, while marketing and in-store experiences can help guide consumers to the options that best suit their lifestyles and budgets.

Over the past 12 months, consumers have also become more deliberate in their refrigeration choices, driven by the rising cost of fresh food and growing awareness around food waste.

“Energy efficiency is expected, but on its own it’s not enough. Shoppers are weighing up the complete package, how the fridge looks in their kitchen, how it performs day-to-day, and the features that genuinely make their lives easier.”

For retailers, the opportunity lies in showcasing refrigeration solutions that combine energy efficiency with premium design and advanced freshness features, delivering both immediate and long-term value to households, he added.

“While refrigeration sales data is only part of the picture, we can clearly see the shifts in consumer behaviour reflected in retailer product ranging over the last year. Stores are dedicating more space to refrigerators with differentiated colours, premium finishes, and advanced features that support food sustainability and energy efficiency.”

Hitachi White Glass Refrigerator R-GW670TAX

` Made in Japan

` 670L capacity in Glass White, Black and Mauve Mirror

` Vacuum compartment and Aero-Care vegetable drawer with platinum catalyst

` Quick freeze drawer

` 4.5-star inverter refrigerator RRP: $5,499

Design trends in kitchens are also reinforcing this shift. “Consumers are no longer satisfied with just stainless steel or white enamel. They want refrigerators that not only perform but also complement their kitchen design. Glass finishes are very much on-trend, and we are seeing strong growth in demand for premium finishes and colour options.”

Hitachi is launching a new series of made in Japan refrigerators which Beard said meets the key consumer trends in the market: style, food sustainability and energy efficiency.

“The RGW670TAX series combines premium design and finishes with advanced food preservation technologies that help households reduce waste, while also offering leading energy efficiency.”

For the remainder of 2025, Hitachi’s strategy will be centred on responding directly to the shifts being seen in the refrigeration market and also refreshing it 4-door French door range, with a strong focus on larger capacity models. “Consumers are increasingly seeking fridges in the 670L and above segment, pairing size with advanced freshness features that genuinely help reduce food waste.”

Online search remains critical in the path to purchase, but final decisions are often made instore. That makes execution on the retail floor and effective training key priorities by investing in floor displays, education, and training.

As Beard puts it: “Retailers who can connect the dots, showing customers how the right refrigerator combines style, capacity, and advanced freshness features, will not only meet consumer expectations but also deliver stronger margins and long-term loyalty.” AR

BSH

Sarah Alexander Category Manager – Refrigeration ANZ

The market remains tough and competitive, especially the entry to mid segment of the market, as cost of living pressures have led to more value driven purchases.

“However, we have seen an uplift in kitchen renovations and upgrades, with the refrigerator being a key replacement appliance,” Sarah Alexander said.

The last 12 months in the refrigeration industry have been marked by increased consumer demand for energy-efficient, smart, and customisable appliances. There’s a growing focus on health, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal too.

“We are pleased to introduce our latest range of multi-door refrigeration, which includes new ice and water dispensing models. This innovative lineup is designed to meet the demands of modern kitchens, offering a perfect blend of functionality, style, and energy efficiency.

“We will continue to support our refrigeration partners, emphasise key features in all advertising such as the high-performance ice maker, bottle fill function and the XXL fridge drawers,” she said. AR

TCL 631L Side by Side Refrigerator RF630SHG

` 5- star energy rating for lower running costs

` Automatic Anionreleasing technology (AAT) maintains freshness and reduces odours

` Swing Flow for maximum airflow and temperature control

` 2.5L water dispenserno plumbing required

` 3-year manufacturer warranty

RRP: $1,599

TCL

Robert Oredsson National Sales Manager – Home Appliances & Diversified Products

Bosch Multi-Door Refrigerator

KFD96AXEAA

` VitaFresh XXL combines ample storage with precise temperature control to keep food fresher for longer

` Ice maker dispenses up to 5kg of ice daily

` One-touch, hands-free bottle fill function

` LED lighting in fridge and freezer

` Adjustable ladder system shelving is easily moved up or down to accommodate different sized food containers and products

RRP: $3,599

Over the past 12 months, the Australian domestic refrigeration category has delivered single digit growth in both volume and value. However, the market remains heavily reliant on traditional fridge/freezer formats, with consumers increasingly opting for energy-efficient and feature-rich models to offset rising energy costs, according to TCL. “While growth has been positive, the category is mature and highly competitive, with margins pressured by aggressive discounting, higher input costs, and cost-of-living constraints,” Robert Oredsson said.

Commenting further on industry trends, he said energy bills have kept star ratings at frontand-centre. “Because fridges/freezers always remain on, customers compare energy labels, with policy work around higher MEPS and refreshed labels, reinforcing the shift to efficient inverter compressor models like our TRF440HB/ TRF639SHG models. Also, with replacement cycles, consumers are trading up to feature-led designs such as French door or Quad-door, water and ice, better storage layouts and finishes to find further value beyond just price.”

And shoppers time their big-ticket fridge buys to discount peaks such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day, and with household appliances lifting around these promos retailers lean harder into these events, he added. AR

SMEG

Rodney Manauzzi Product Manager – MDA

The refrigeration market in Australia has experienced moderate yet consistent growth over the past year. Demand is being propelled by several factors, including recovery from pandemic disruptions, increasing consumer expenditure on household appliances and the ongoing trend of home improvements.

According to Smeg there has also been a significant shift towards energy-efficient products, driven by rising electricity costs and increased consumer awareness of sustainability with refrigerators with higher energy ratings more popular. Consumers are also opting for refrigerators with smart features that let them control temperatures, monitor inventory and get maintenance alerts through smartphone apps.

Consumers, especially in urban areas, are looking for refrigerators that can be customised to fit their space, such as modular units or those with adjustable shelves and doors. There is a rising trend too for refrigerators with eco-friendly refrigerants and enhanced insulation to reduce environmental impact. Features such as built-in air purifiers, humidity control and improved storage for fresh produce are increasingly sought after, matching the health-conscious consumer mindset.

“Many consumers are choosing to upgrade to newer, more feature-rich refrigerators instead of simply replacing their old models, with the emphasis on smart fridges or energy-efficient options that promise long-term savings,” Rodney Manauzzi said. And the trend towards e-commerce for large appliances persists, with online platforms providing detailed reviews, free delivery, and installation services. “While demand exists for high-end features, many consumers remain price-conscious and seek the best value within their budgets, focusing on durability and long-term efficiency,” he said.

According to IBISWorld, industry revenue for refrigeration appliance retailing in Australia was estimated at A$1.6 billion in 2023, with continued growth expected as consumers upgrade to higherend models. A survey by Canstar Blue revealed that nearly 70% of Australians prioritise energy efficiency when buying new refrigerators, with a shift towards 5-star energy-rated models.

Smeg will continue to promote energy-efficient products in marketing materials, catering to the growing consumer interest in sustainability, with launch targeted campaigns or bundle deals, during key sales periods such as Black Friday and Boxing Day.

Smeg Freestanding Refrigerator FA490RX5

` Large 510L capacity

` Double cooling circuits with electronic controls

` Life plus 0°C drawer provides a controlled temperature zone

` Easy-clean, tempered safety glass adjustable shelves

` Designed and manufactured by Smeg in Italy

RRP: $4,990

Smeg provides a comprehensive online training platform to help salespeople enhance their knowledge of the refrigeration category.

“Consumers are increasingly looking for refrigeration products that offer more than just cooling, they desire energy efficiency, innovative technology and sustainable features that match their values,” Manauzzi said. “As a retailer, it is essential to stay ahead of these trends and educate your customers on the long-term savings and lifestyle benefits that modern fridges provide.

“Offering personalised advice and product recommendations tailored to their specific needs will build trust and increase sales. Emphasise energy savings, innovative features and environmental impact as key selling points to meet the rising demand for premium, tech-savvy appliances,” he said. AR

“

The refrigeration market in Australia has experienced moderate yet consistent growth

over the past year.

“The category’s value increased by approximately 7% to A$627 million in 2024, despite declining unit sales.

”

ANDI-CO

Kellie Warwick Head of Marketing & Brand

Australian consumers are navigating significant cost-of-living pressures, which have reshaped household spending habits over the past few years. Rising interest rates, energy costs, and grocery prices have led many families to reduce discretionary spending and focus on purchases that deliver clear, long-term value, was the view of the market from Andi-Co.

“While this has softened overall appliance volumes, it has strengthened the premium refrigeration segment, as these buyers tend to prioritise durable, high-performance products over frequent, lower-cost replacements,” Kellie Warwick said. The category’s value increased by approximately 7% to A$627 million in 2024, despite declining unit sales, according to ABS August 2025 data.

“This shift is underpinned by changing consumer priorities. Research shows that 98% of households now consider ‘good value’ essential in purchase decisions, with 97% highlighting durability and ease-of-use. Families are also more conscious of their running costs and food waste, with the average household losing up to A$2,500 annually in discarded groceries.”

Liebherr 511L Monolith French Door Refrigerator ECBNh9972

` BioFresh-Plus humidity-controlled drawers for superior food preservation

` DuoCooling technology to prevent odour transfer

` PowerCooling for consistent temperature

` InfinitySpring filtered water dispenser.

` InfinityLight LED accents and SuperSilent operation

RRP: $24,990

Integrated, built-in appliances are increasingly viewed as an investment in both lifestyle and home value. Sustainability has also become a powerful driver, as families seek products that minimise environmental impact without compromising on performance or adding cost, she said.

Earlier this year Liebherr unveiled the Monolith French door. Combining German engineering with elegant design, the Monolith delivers advanced cooling performance in a seamless, built-in format ideal for modern luxury kitchens.

Both doors can be opened at the same time and left or right doors independently of each other. It also guarantees a temperature divide between the refrigerator compartment and BioFresh drawer, that saves energy and ensures optimum storage conditions. AR

MIDEA

Christie Yuen Head of Marketing ANZ

“This year marked a milestone as we established Midea’s refrigeration presence in Australia and early market response indicates that Australian consumers appreciate our focus on delivering practical functionality and contemporary design at accessible price points,” Christie Yuen said.

“Australian consumers are becoming more selective about their refrigeration choices, looking beyond just storage to solutions that enhance their lifestyle. We’ve noticed a strong preference for premium aesthetics, like dark stainless finishes, which complement modern kitchen designs. Integrated water dispensers are also in high demand, offering convenience without sacrificing style,” Yuen said.

Food preservation is also a major focus, with households prioritising technologies that keep produce fresher for longer to reduce waste and save money. Energy efficiency continues to remain critical, as rising energy costs push consumers toward inverter compressor models that lower running costs while supporting sustainability.

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Australian consumers are looking beyond just storage to solutions that enhance their lifestyle. ”

“Space efficiency is another critical trend we’re addressing globally with innovations like our Space Master technology, which maximises internal capacity without increasing external dimensions that is particularly relevant for Australian urban homes where kitchen space is at a premium.”

Recent additions include a 413L top mount in a dark stainless finish, a 592L side-by-side also in dark stainless and a 474L quad door with water dispenser. These complement the 700L Quad Door Space Master series.

According to Yuen, the Space Master represents Midea’s approach to refrigeration: delivering surprisingly larger capacity within standard dimensions. “This innovation philosophy, unveiled globally at IFA 2025, directly addresses the challenge every Australian household faces – maximising storage without renovating their kitchen.”

And for retailers, “it offers a compelling differentiation point: premium space-maximising technology at accessible price points,” she said.

“As we continue to invest in the Australian market, partnering with Midea can confidently offer their customers internationally proven technology with local market support.” AR

Midea 700L Quad Door Space Master Series Refrigerator

` Maximum capacity design with industry-leading storage maintaining standard kitchen dimensions

` Infinite shelf system with adjustable storage and movable shelving

` Vario Zone multi-temperature control with three different temperature settings

` Built-in water pitcher with filtered water access and automatic ice maker

` Advanced preservation technology with Platinum Fresh ionisation with 99.99% antibacterial rate and 99% deodorisation rate

RRP: $2,699

V-ZUG CombiCooler V6000 178NI

` Pearl-coloured finishes with warm lighting and SoftClose vegetable drawer

` Cutting edge technology to ensure lasting freshness

` MonoFridge converts the freezer compartment into an additional cooling zone

` Robust door trays and ClickShelf adjustable shelving for flexible interior layouts

` Quiet operation

RRP: $16,000

V-ZUG

Sally Lukey Marketing Manager

“The cooling product category within the V-ZUG range is still relatively new when compared to our established cooking offering, but the addition of a new manufacturing facility in Sulgen, Switzerland, purpose built for refrigeration, will see a refinement and improvement in our products to market,” Sally Lukey said.

“The CombiCooler to be launched in October is an example of this commitment that delivers precision, reliability and high-end design. With advanced climate control and flexible storage, it stands out as the ideal choice for food preservation, particularly for consumers who value both performance and design. This has been shown in the steady and consistent growth we are seeing in our cooling products at V-ZUG,” she said.

Sophisticated design and quality materiality are top priorities for customers. “This focus on internal aesthetics aligns with the growing trend of integrating refrigerators into kitchen cabinetry, creating a clean, minimalist look on the outside, with beauty on the inside, that design-conscious consumers seek.”

In addition to design, energy efficiency plays a crucial role in purchasing decisions making long-term energy consumption a significant consideration, Lukey said. “Many buyers are willing to invest in premium models upfront, recognising the long-term savings and environmental benefits that energy efficient appliances provide, and these new products allow us to meet this demand. Our new Swiss factory represents an improvement in our capabilities, enabling us to meet growing market demand while meeting the highest standards of quality and efficiency.

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Energy efficiency plays a crucial role in purchasing decisions.

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“Leveraging the Swiss made point of difference will be key in the market, alongside our premium design, materiality and energy efficiency. As our cooling portfolio continues to establish itself in Australia, the product portfolio will consider the needs of premium and luxury segments of the retail market as well as providing offerings for commercial project partners.

“In the premium end the energy efficiency in our SwissMade products is also at the higher end for this category and the range is supported by V-ZUG’s market-leading 10-year warranty. Communicating these benefits effectively ensures that customers not only appreciate the aesthetics but also recognise the long-term peace of mind associated with extended support for long term enjoyment,” Lukey said.

V-ZUG CEO, Christoph Kilia, added that the Sulgen facility is: “a central component of our strategy which will allow for reduced environmental impact through improved energy efficiency and higher quality improvements in our range”. AR

Miele Integrated Fridge Freezer KFNS 7795D

` PerfectFresh Active preserves food for five times longer with active humidification

` Plumbed-in ice maker

` Individually adjustable glass shelf lighting with FlexiLight 2.0

` No icing up of food and no need to defrost with NoFrost

` DynaCool fan function delivers uniform temperature

RRP: $5,999

MIELE

Helen Cheeseman Category Marketing Manager

The refrigeration category declined in both value and volume over the last 12 months however, it is now showing early signs of recovery.

“Growth in home renovations since the pandemic has continued, supported by more flexible working arrangements and a desire to improve the quality and adaptability of living spaces,” Helen Cheeseman said.

“Rising property prices have made renovation a more financially astute option than moving, with kitchen renovations in particular delivering the highest return on investment.

This has fuelled demand for premium quality kitchen upgrades featuring high-end materials, integrated storage solutions and more energy efficient appliances.”

Over the past year, there has been a noticeable shift toward integrated refrigeration due to its seamless design appeal, alongside strong growth in larger-capacity formats such as French door and side-by-side.

“The convergence of cost-of-living pressures, particularly in food, with the desire for more sustainable choices has led consumers to shift their focus towards fresh food preservation and recreate restaurant quality meals at home. Connectivity is also emerging as an expectation, with consumers seeking appliances that not only support their lifestyle but provide added convenience and reassurance,” according to Emily Alonzo, Head of Category Marketing.

Miele recently launched its latest 75cm freestanding fridge/freezer, designed with a focus on food freshness and connectivity. This innovation offers increased capacity, Wi-Fi connectivity and protects the freshness of fruit and vegetables for up to twice as long with the Miele DailyFresh freshness system. Other benefits include a dual cooling circuit and a variable speed compressor.

“Changing lifestyles are driving growth in segments such as integrated, French Door and side-by side refrigeration,” Alonzo said. “Consumers are increasingly seeking solutions that go beyond storage, blending performance with premium design. For retailers, this presents the opportunity to drive incremental category value by guiding customers towards innovative, design-led solutions in these emerging segments.” AR

LG Shannon Tweedie Marketing Manager ANZ

LG continues to see strong demand across its portfolio, as Australians seek refrigeration solutions that deliver on its core function of cold storage. But they are also looking for intelligent, stylish appliances that integrate seamlessly into modern homes that simplify routines, while keeping food fresher for longer.

“LG has noticed this need reflected in the strong performance for its premium fridge segments, which provide intuitive features and adaptable storage,” Shannon Tweedie said, along with trends around refrigerator function and form. There’s also a focus on the core function of cold storage and maintaining food freshness. Features that help maintain optimal temperature and humidity are highly valued as consumers look to reduce food waste and prolong the shelf life of groceries. LG technologies, such as LINEARCooling and DoorCooling+, work together with the InstaView Door-in-Door feature to minimise temperature fluctuations and evenly distribute cold air throughout the fridge, helping keep food fresher for longer, she added.

The rise of the smart home is also influencing purchasing decisions as more consumers take up connected technologies that simplify life. Through the LG ThinQ app, consumers can remotely control temperature settings, receive maintenance alerts, and manage energy consumption, aligning with the trend toward smarter, more efficient living.

LG recently launched the 340L Bottom Mount refrigerator with InstaView expanding the range into a style that suits smaller kitchens and modern living spaces. This new model is designed for consumers looking for smart performance, premium design, and reliable cooling, without compromising on space or functionality. With two quick knocks on the InstaView panel, users can see inside without opening the door, helping to prevent cold air loss and temperature fluctuations and maintain food freshness. The new model also features DoorCooling+ for fast, even cooling, a plumbing-free auto ice maker, and fresh converter drawers to help store meat, fish or vegetables optimally.

This launch complements LG’s broader refrigeration offering, which spans French door, top and bottom mount, and side-by-side models.

For the rest of 2025, LG’s focus will be on showcasing how its current range delivers smart, stylish, and reliable refrigeration solutions

that meet the needs of Australian households. LG will spotlight key product benefits, such as food freshness, energy efficiency, and timesaving features, across its communications. InstaView, Craft Ice, DoorCooling+ and ThinQ will be central to messaging. The Bottom Mount InstaView launch will also be a key product focus, alongside the broader InstaView French door and side-by-side fridge range.

Through retail POS, online content, and integrated digital campaigns, LG will engage consumers and retail partners, with training available from the LG training team.

“Our products are designed with innovation and practicality in mind with smart features and clever innovations for connected convenience. We encourage retailers to help their customers find a fridge that truly suits their needs, and LG supports partners with a category-leading lineup that blends premium design with everyday reliability,” Tweedie said. AR

LG French Door Refrigerator with InstaView GF-V900MBL

` InstaView for easy access to contents without opening the door

` Craft Ice Maker for making slow-melting round ice at home

` UVnano water dispenser with built-in UV LED light to keep the nozzle clean

` Slim SpacePlus Ice System for plumbed ice and water direct from the door

` LG ThinQ connectivity using the LG ThinQ app

RRP: $5,499

WORLDWIDE APPLIANCES

Daniel Bertuccio Marketing Manager

The focus in this category for Worldwide Appliances and its brands Artusi and Fhiaba is firmly on integrated refrigeration, which puts the company in line with the kitchen renovations cycle.

“It continues to demonstrate a positive performance given cost-of living-pressures and market competitiveness, with steady demand across both the premium and mid-level segments,” Daniel Bertuccio said. “The growth for us in this category is being driven by new home builds, and renovations with a strong focus on quality, customisation and breadth of range,” he said.

He also noted a clear shift towards fully integrated refrigeration, with renovators and designers seeking appliances that blend with kitchen cabinetry for a seamless and minimalist look.

For kitchens with the space, column fridge/freezers are a popular specification and there is also demand for French door style products for ‘everyday’ kitchen designs. Integrated products feature all food preservation technologies that he said customers have come to expect “like multi-zone temperature control, humidity management and specialist storage compartments along with the added design aesthetic that initially attracts the buyer”.

The company is taking advantage of the trend to integrated refrigeration with new Artusi French door options, expanding both its under-counter selection as well as growing its column sets.

Also on the new product agenda is Fhiaba. “We are working on introducing a new French door model, previously launched at Euro Cucina, as well as range updates across the Classic, X-pro and integrated series and increasing the under-counter offering. These new models also incorporate cutting-edge preservation technology and enhanced interfaces.”

Bertuccio believes the best form of research is listening to retail partners and monitoring sales trends. “We also gain market intelligence from our home builders and specifiers on the latest in kitchen design as well as working with our brand partners like Three Birds Renovations and their audience.”

Retailer engagement is high on the marketing list, creating training collateral, digital resources and point-of-sale materials. Retailer and consumer education involves investment in digital campaigns and brand partnerships to highlight product value and depth of range.

“Collaborations are also part of our strategy, as well as working closely with architects, designers, and builders to ensure our integrated refrigeration solutions are specified early in the project cycle, particularly in premium builds and renovations,” Bertuccio said.

Digital product guides detailing product specifications and unique selling points for both Artusi and Fhiaba integrated refrigeration are online, with video tutorials demonstrating key features, customisation options and best maintenance practices also available online and via social platforms.

“Integrated refrigeration is no longer a niche, it’s fast becoming the standard in kitchen design for consumers, and together with Artusi and Fhiaba brands we are committed to supporting retailers with innovative products, expert training, and marketing support to drive mutual growth in this evolving category.”

PANASONIC

Ricardo Damiani Product Marketing Manager

According to Panasonic the refrigeration market has remained relatively stable in the past year, with both unit volumes and total sales value broadly consistent with the previous year, reflecting a balanced but competitive market environment.

In the segments relevant to Panasonic – bottom mount, French door, and quad door – the quad door segment has experienced strong growth over the past 12 months, driven by rising consumer demand for premium, feature-rich designs, Ricardo Damiani said.

“Panasonic offers technologies in line with its research into the Australian market and market trends. The company has learnt consumers are looking for reliable brands that they can trust to offer long-term reliability, and that pain points include keeping food fresh and freezer space, as well as a desire for energy efficiency,” he said, adding that market trends also include a demand for smart technologies and features such as apps to monitor energy usage and high Energy Star Ratings to support sustainability.

“Panasonic’s focus on quality, reducing food waste and energy savings meets consumer demand for durable, smart products that address cost of living pressures.

“Our go-to-market strategy will continue to promote the key benefits of the Prime + Edition refrigerator range. It allows consumers to enjoy a healthy lifestyle through optimised freshness,

Panasonic Prime + Edition Quad Door Refrigerator NR-XY680

` Prime Fresh technology offers soft freezing at -3°C to keep food fresh

` Fresh Safe fruit and vegetable drawer automatically maintains up to 90% humidity the optimal temperature to retain moisture and keep produce fresh

` Prime Freeze rapid freeze function freezes food five times faster than a regular freezer that is ideal for budgetconscious meal preppers

` Nanoe X technology inhibits micro-organisms in the air and on surfaces

` 4.5 Star Energy rating

RRP: $4,289

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Consumers are looking for reliable brands that they can trust to offer long-term reliability.

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reduced food wastage, nutrition and hygiene, as well as features that save time and energy.”

Prime Fresh, Prime Freeze and Fresh Safe technologies help to lock in nutrients and extend the life of food. Econavi sensors and the inverter compressor work to ensure efficient operation and energy savings, while the Panasonic SmartApp+ - available on the NR-XY680 Prime + Edition quad door – allows personalised control and monitoring of power usage. The NanoeX technology inhibits up to 99.99 % of bacteria and suppresses odours.

Panasonic is promoting these capabilities to consumers through its ambassador Marion Grasby, with brand videos highlighting key features that appear on Panasonic and retailer’s websites. These videos are also promoted via paid social posts, EDMs and content on Grasby’s own channels.

Training materials include Marion Grasby videos available on the Panasonic You Tube channel that allow retailers to quickly review the key selling options of the PRIME + Edition Refrigerator range, including overview videos, short videos on individual features and video guides on how to store food to reduce waste for sustainability. AR

HISENSE

Barry O’Brien

National Whitegoods Product Trainer

Shifting customer attitudes toward sustainability are driving brand appeal, however brand loyalty is being increasingly challenged by price competition and championing connectivity and integration through features such as the ConnectLife app, have become crucial in maintaining engagement and trust, was the view of the market from Hisense.

Over the past 12 months, Hisense’s refrigeration business has delivered a strong upward trend, achieving a 19% year-on-year increase. Driving this momentum, French door models stood out, recording over 70% growth, highlighting the rising customer demand for high-capacity designs and premium features, according to Barry O’Brien.

“Demand has clearly shifted toward energy-efficient and intelligent home solutions, and Hisense is leading the industry with advanced refrigerators that combine market-leading efficiency, seamless connectivity, intelligent food management and predictive cooling technologies,” he said.

Hisense has seen sustainability become a decisive factor in customer choice, with eco-friendly and energy-efficient products gaining strong momentum across categories. Other trends of note include smart features and flexible storage that simplify food management, along with a more value-conscious consumer. “This mindset is unlikely to shift soon, with affordability and longterm value set to remain key purchase drivers.

Smart refrigeration has shifted from concept to real-world adoption, with brands like Hisense driving innovation through multi-screen designs and AI-enabled features.”

When it comes to energy efficiency trends, internal analysis by Hisense, based on five years of data from the Australian Energy Rating product registry, revealed brands are competing on innovations with customers prioritising it as a key driver in mid-to high-end purchases.

Hisense has continued to expand its refrigeration portfolio, introducing innovations such as the Hisense PureView fridge, and the versatile PureFlex range. Australia and New Zealand remain key growth markets for the brand, with customers showing strong alignment to Hisense’s EcoVision philosophy, which focuses on sustainability, efficiency, and smarter living.

Hisense PureView French Door Refrigerator

` PureView automatically lights up the fridge interior without opening the door to keep cold air in and energy use down

` Cantilever shelves, slide-under shelf, and My Fresh Choice convertible temperature compartment for flexible storage options

` Hisense ConnectLife App controls the fridge and other compatible smart home appliances

` PureView UV water treatment eliminates 99.9% of bacteria

` 3.5-star energy efficiency rating

RRP: $3,999

Looking ahead, O’Brien said Hisense is committed to building on this momentum, bringing more innovative products to market and expanding across the entire household to deliver connected, stylish, and environmentally conscious appliances that enhance everyday living.

“And delivering value is central to our approach. As we roll out our portfolio of products, we are committed to collaborating closely with retail partners to bring customers innovative, sustainable, reliable, and high-value home appliances that meet the modern needs of Australian households.”

Hisense is also committed to investing in marketing and advertising support to continue growing its presence in the retail environment, as well as supporting retailers through in-store training and training events.

“We see refrigeration as a core pillar of the modern Australian home, with appliances that blend premium design with groundbreaking technology that make everyday life easier for families. Hisense refrigerators are engineered to meet the modern demands of customers, offering energy efficiency, smart connectivity, and flexible storage solutions.

“By combining innovative features, aesthetic design and intelligent automation and AI, Hisense products not only elevate the kitchen experience but also help households save time, reduce waste, and enjoy greater convenience every day. Hisense continues to deliver industry-leading technology that creates authentic, real-life moments and strengthens brand relevance and prestige amongst audiences,” O’Brien said. AR

SwissMade Perfection in Cooling

Smeg Launches e-BBQ – The Future of Outdoor Cooking

Smeg Australia has unveiled its new e-BBQ range, a premium collection of built-in electric barbecues designed and made in Italy. Crafted from marinegrade stainless steel, the e-BBQ delivers precision cooking, safety and style - ideal for apartments, balconies and homes where gas use is restricted. Featuring independent cooking zones, precise power controls, integrated thermometer and easy-clean design, the e-BBQ makes outdoor entertaining effortless. Available in three sizes – 60cm CompactGrill (10amp), 90cm PowerGrill (15amp) and 120cm ProGrill (20amp) – there’s an option for every outdoor space. The Smeg e-BBQ will be available in selected retailers from 1 November 2025.

RRP: from $4,490

Designed and manufactured in Switzerland, the new 60cm V-ZUG CombiCooler V6000 178NI brings beautiful design and high quality materiality with clever performance to Australian kitchens. This premium fridge-freezer combines elegance with Swiss engineering, ensuring every ingredient is stored at optimal freshness. With NoFrost convenience, MonoFridge dynamic cooling, and generous 281L capacity, it offers both practicality and sophistication. V-ZUG’s signature energy efficiency and intuitive touch controls make daily living effortless, while the premium pearlescent finish highlights glass and aluminium shelves. It’s a statement of refined taste, durability, and innovation –delivering Swiss perfection to your home, every day.

RRP: $16,000

Smeg Wins Canstar Blue 2025 Award for Cooktops

Smeg has been awarded Canstar Blue’s 2025 Award for Customer Satisfaction in the cooktop category, reaffirming its position as a leader in kitchen appliance innovation. Scoring five stars across overall satisfaction, performance, ease of cleaning, features and functionality, design and ease of use, Smeg continues to deliver on its promise of technology with style. Managing Director Wayne Campbell said the win reflects the trust Australian consumers place in Smeg and the company’s commitment to premium design and performance. Smeg’s cooktops include gas, induction and models with integrated extraction, offering versatile solutions for every cooking style.

ECOVACS Launches DEEBOT X11 with Industry-First PowerBoost Technology

ECOVACS ROBOTICS is once again setting a new benchmark in home robotic floor cleaning with the all-new DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone. Leading the way in delivering Cleanliness, Convenience and Intelligence, the ECOVACS DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone brings together cutting edge OZMO ROLLER Mopping Technology, ZeroTangle 3.0, and 18,000Pa suction power. Featuring industry-first PowerBoost Technology, a breakthrough in recharging that utilises mop washing breaks between cycles to apply quick bursts of Gallium Nitride (GaN) charging for quick and efficient recharging, delivering perpetual runtime for uninterrupted cleaning coverage.

RRP $2,999