‘Energy-saving and sustainability is a great opportunity for our industry to focus on’ – BSH CEO

Energy-saving benefits and sustainability will help to drive sales of home appliances, as consumers are looking to buy more efficient products due to an uncertain economic climate, according to Retra Associate Member BSH.

Speaking at the Retra Conference earlier this month, Gunjan Srivastava, CEO of BSH UK and Ireland, said: “We expect the consumer to focus on energy – messages and products that are in the areas of saving and sustainability are likely to be stronger and better consumed.”

He added: “For a brand like us – and all of the industry – it’s a great opportunity to focus on as a differentiator.”

Mr Srivastava said that due to a drop in consumer confidence, some shoppers were putting off buying big-ticket items, such as premium home appliances.

According to a BSH consumer survey, more than half of respondents said they would be more price-driven when buying appliances, rather than choosing products based on brand or features.

“For someone like us, that is obviously a hard message – we have to really focus – but what’s positive is that a large percentage of people – more than 40% – still believe that quality and reliability are still going to be at the centre when they’re deciding to buy appliances for the home,” he said.

Talking about ongoing supply issues caused by Covid and logistics problems, Mr Srivastava, said: “We are still grappling with them and they don’t seem to going away anytime soon.”