Tag Archives: lifestyle

Nov 20 2025
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How to add festive sparkle to the in-store experience

As the nation starts getting out the decorations and ‘All I Want for Christmas’ takes over the airwaves, one thing is certain, the festive shopping season is well and truly underway. But for retailers, this isn’t just the season to be jolly, it’s a time of great angst. After months of planning and perfecting the strategy, and execution now underway, the question looming is will Christmas make or break me?

The Christmas TV ads have already landed, glittering with the hope they’ll capture hearts and wallets early. Consumers are being bombarded by online ads and influencer recommendations, but as they hit the high street in search of the perfect gift, amid tighter budgets and endless options, how can retailers use physical estates to reel shoppers in?

Looking at last year’s trends, it’s clear that those who’ve nailed the mix of smart pricing, irresistible promotions, memorable in-store moments, dazzling displays and well trained staff will top the tree this Christmas.

Fantastic festive promotion strategies

Festive promotion strategies must deliver, sustaining every crucial week of the Golden Quarter, and most importantly, offer clever promotions that reward shoppers loyalty. Retailers that communicate savings and product exclusivity in creative ways will resonate most with shoppers who want to maximise their spending.

“Beyond the sparkle, snowflakes and spectacle, the retail basics have never mattered more.“
Daniel Todaro, CEO UK&I, Gekko Group Marketing

For years, Black Friday and Cyber Monday were the pinnacle of the festive shopping period,  with brands starting promotions well in advance. For consumers, there’s nothing more annoying than seeing a great deal advertised, to find out it doesn’t exist in-store. Integrated on and offline strategies are vital, not only driving sales, but keeping customers happy and returning footfall.

With limited budgets, shoppers are seeking value without compromise. Many now spread gift purchases out across many months, so it’s vital for brands and retailers to act smart in thinking beyond single day discounts. We help brands track product performance online, highlighting RRP, SKUs and even marketing compliance. Retailers planning for a profitable peak period, and not just key dates, see the most success.

Merchandising matters

Beyond the sparkle, snowflakes and spectacle, the retail basics have never mattered more. Just like the Grinch, retailers are feeling the pinch, rising national insurance contributions are tightening budgets, leading to dwindling staff numbers on shop floors when they’re most needed. But with footfall about to hit its annual high, this isn’t the time to scrimp on staff.

Lack of staff often results in poorly displayed and empty shelves, leading to inevitable shopper frustration, and they’ll simply spend their money elsewhere. Retailers must work closely with brands to forecast accurately, manage deliveries seamlessly and keep the shelves stacked with festive favourites all season long.

And let’s not forget the people who make the magic happen. Store staff are the vital link between product and customer. Equipping them with the right knowledge ensures they can offer an exceptional in-store experience for customers. By creating positive, informed interactions at the point of purchase, this builds trust and encourages action, making the experience not only easier but more rewarding on both sides of the transaction.

We’ve seen success with brands and retailers that run tailored peak incentives, motivating staff to hit and surpass targets. There’s no better way to do this than a bit of healthy competition, with bonus and training campaigns offering fun rewards. The trick for festive fun is to make it engaging by gamifying targets or learning, whether in-store or through an online platform.

Spectacular in-store activations

Retailers are going to new extremes to draw in shoppers, transforming the high street into a playground of wonder in a bid to maximise footfall. One example in London is John Lewis Oxford Street, launching a ‘Member Lounge’ where shoppers can grab a glass of fizz and have a massage between gift hunts, turning retail therapy into something far more literal!

But magic doesn’t always need a big budget. Even small, thoughtful touches can spark joy, a festive photo booth for capturing memories, a ‘try before you buy’ tasting station, or a gift wrapping service that turns purchases into presents, and shopping from a task into an experience.

Technology is adding its own dazzle. Augmented reality displays, virtual try-on mirrors, and smart lighting are blurring the lines between digital and physical, creating those wow moments you simply can’t get from a screen. And with mobile apps offering tailored rewards that can be redeemed in-store, retailers are making every visit feel personal.

Sustaining festive high-street sparkle

There has never been a more crucial Christmas for the high street. With tightening margins, rising costs and pressure from online retail, physical stores are working hard to draw shoppers in. That said, ‘tis the season of opportunities for retailers, and when done right, in-store experiences remind us of what digital shopping can’t replicate, giving customers reasons to return long after the decorations come down.

To read the published comment by Dan Todaro, Gekko Group CEO, please visit Creative Brief

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Sep 30 2025
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Hey Google, play ‘Deck the Halls’

The magic of Christmas is getting a high-tech makeover. This year, holiday wish lists are moving beyond the typical gadgets and into the realm of the truly smart home. While a new television is still a coveted gift, modern shoppers are seeking next-generation devices that do more than just entertain. They want technology that simplifies daily life, saves energy, and offers peace of mind. This holiday season is all about bringing the future home, with gifts that make every room in the home a little smarter.

A New Era of Home Entertainment

While smart homes are all about efficiency and function, they’re also revolutionising our leisure time. The UK’s television market is set to grow significantly, with consumers always choosing smart TVs because it’s the only option available. However, the latest models from brands like Hisense and Samsung are, as we know, more than just screens to watch and stream to; they are increasingly becoming the central hub of the connected home. The push towards the most advanced display technologies, like brighter OLEDs and more sophisticated Mini-LED backlighting, is a key driver in the purchasing decisions consumers make on their customer journey. These innovations not only deliver incredible picture quality, making everything from blockbuster films to immersive visual feasts, but also create a hub for movie nights, sporting event parties, gaming and casting your treasured photos. Some could argue that with such a powerful TV, why do I need a soundbar? Doesn’t it already have the best possible sound I could get in any TV? Yes, but think of it like the difference between that watch, the one with or without diamonds; it’s the same watch, but it makes a bigger impact. Soundbars, like the Hisense HT Saturn or the Sonos Arc Ultra, are hugely popular for their ability to deliver cinematic audio without the clutter of a full surround sound system. Smart home projectors are also gaining traction, offering the ultimate in-home movie experience. Brands like Hisense and Nebula are making high-quality projection more accessible, turning any living room wall into a gigantic screen for gaming or film nights.

Automated Cleanliness & Comfort: The Rise of Smart Living

The convenience of an automated home is no longer a luxury but a growing expectation; it’s standard for many. The UK’s smart home market continues to grow, with a value estimated at £8.07 billion in 2025 and over 80 per cent of consumers already owning at least one smart product. This trend is driving demand for a new generation of household essentials that span multiple categories in the home. Leading the charge are devices like robot vacuums and mops from brands like Dreame, equipped with advanced navigation and self-emptying docks, which have become highly desirable for maintaining a tidy home with minimal effort. This desire for automated cleanliness extends to smart laundry appliances and even smart lawnmowers, creating a truly effortless living environment. Beyond cleaning, the desire for comfort and health is increasing the popularity of a range of gadgets. Sales of air purifiers and adaptive lighting systems are on the rise, creating the perfect atmosphere and mood with the touch of a button, while smart fragrance diffusers add another layer of sensory comfort. Furthermore, the market for smart health devices is booming, with products like smart scales that track a variety of metrics and air quality monitors that help users understand and improve their home environment. These devices are all part of a larger ecosystem of connectivity and integration, making every aspect of home life smarter and more intuitive than ever before.

Smart Savings for a Sustainable Season

With energy costs still a key concern, especiallyas we approach those months when the heating is switched back on, consumers this Christmas will be very much thinking about smart, cost-saving investments. Thanks to the ongoing smart meter rollout and a growing push for sustainability, energy-efficient appliances are a must-have. The UK’s smart thermostat market is a prime example, with significant growth projected as consumers look for ways to manage utility bills and reduce their carbon footprint. Smart thermostats, such as the Nest, go beyond simple scheduling. They learn your routine, use geofencing to detect when the house is empty, and can even sense an open window, automatically adjusting the temperature to prevent wasted energy. Giving a gift that helps someone save money and reduce their carbon footprint is a present that keeps on giving all year long. This sentiment also extends to other energy-conscious gifts, from smart plugs that let you remotely switch off power-hungry devices to smart lighting systems

that allow for precise control and scheduling, reducing electricity consumption for lighting by up to 80 per cent. These thoughtful gifts empower people to take control of their energy usage, making their homes more comfortable and their wallets a little fatter in the long run.

Peace of Mind Under the Tree

The desire for a secure home to protect those things you hold dear is a year-round priority, making smart security a prime gift category. The smart home security market is a powerhouse, valued at GBP 30.07 billion and continues to grow with innovations like AI-powered video analytics. For the holidays, popular gifts like the Google Nest Doorbell offer more than just technology—they offer peace of mind, allowing people to monitor their homes and feel safe, no matter where they are. This security-focused trend extends beyond simple doorbells to a wide range of devices. Sophisticated smart locks that allow keyless entry and track access are becoming increasingly popular, as are wireless outdoor cameras with must-have features like infrared night vision and customisable motion zones.

Small Gifts, Big Impact

While some gifts aim to transform a whole room, others are designed to elevate a single moment. This holiday season, thoughtful, smaller gifts are making a huge impact byenhancing daily life without a large footprint or a significant price tag. For those looking to introduce a touch of smart living, devices like smart plugs and individual smart bulbs such as LIFX are a perfect choice, offering the ability to automate appliances and control lighting from a phone. In the kitchen, the trend is all about efficiency and convenience, with compact appliances like personal blenders, e.g. from Ninja or Nutribullet, and smaller air fryers proving to be highly sought-after gifts that make cooking healthier and easier. For a more personal touch, a smart mug, such as the Ember Mug, that keeps a drink at the perfect temperature, or a portable Bluetooth speaker with more functionality than just playing music, such as the Robert’s Radio Petite which lets you play music, listen to the radio and even has a built-in alarm clock feature which makes it an excellent small gift option.

This year’s most sought-after gifts are practical, innovative, and designed for a better quality of life. From smart entertainment systems to automated chores, the perfect present for tech lovers is those that make every day feel a little more effortless, providing satisfaction in the process. The subtle integration of AI is a key trend. Devices are not just responding to commands but learning routines and anticipating needs. This creates a smarter, more intuitive home experience. Whether it’s a gift that automates daily tasks or one that provides a sense of security and well-being, the best presents this Christmas are those that seamlessly enhance the modern home and the life within it.

To read the published article by Dan Todaro, Gekko Group CEO, please visit ERT

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Aug 29 2025
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Curating the clutter: How brands can cut-through product overwhelm

Consumers are met with an overwhelming volume of information each day, leading to decision fatigue that can make it difficult to choose products, and even cause them to abandon their shopping baskets altogether. When this happens, shoppers are more likely to stick to a well-known brand or pick up the first thing they see – so brands need to stand out.

Curate the clutter

To be a category leader – and encourage consumer switching – brands need to be seen and heard for all the right reasons. The features and packaging of the product itself is only one factor in a consumer’s consideration process, with visibility, brand positioning and consistency all playing a significant role in the wider customer journey.

Taking a strategic approach to curating the clutter across digital and physical channels helps consumers to notice and understand your brand, clearly see what your products offer, and appreciate their true value in relation to user need.

Cutting through the online chaos

In contrast to a good physical store, where effort will have gone into curating the offering, online there is often too much choice, leaving many shoppers overwhelmed and having to decipher things for themselves. Many third-party sales platforms are nothing short of chaotic, but their convenience has been a boon for time-poor consumers. These platforms can make comparing products easier for consumers but, with so many options, brands need to go the extra mile to make sure they are firmly in the mix.

Investing in an effective web scraping service, such as GWS (Gekko Web Services) – can help brands to understand their digital performance in granular detail. By monitoring and analysing the digital shelf, GWS offers powerful insights that can drive smarter decisions about pricing and product descriptions.

Pricing

Price remains the main driver of purchases for consumers, and it is mission critical that brands understand how their product pricing compares with the rest of the category. Digital shelf analysis provides the clarity product owners need to make quick and confident decisions based on their brand positioning and in response to market shifts, particularly during discounting periods.

Product descriptions and tagging

Showing up in searches via both search engines and on specific sites requires the right keywords in product descriptions, as well as tagging appropriately in line with retailers’ filters. Monitoring is critical for maintaining a smooth customer journey, ensuring that your brand shows up with consistent messaging that aligns with your brand positioning.

Driving in-store visibility

In the same way that your brand’s digital footprint is vital for online retail, its physical presence in stores is also an important consideration. While few brands have control over shelf positioning, products can attract consumers and increase consideration through clever merchandising and in-store promotions.

Investing in point-of-sale merchandising can often be more valuable than expensive activations elsewhere. Strategically placing promotional materials and displays near the point of purchase can capture attention and encourage consumers to make impulse buys or consider additional products.

Sales promotion continues to be an effective way to engage consumers in store. Recent research from Savanta revealed that, while half (47%) of shoppers have favourite brands, 40% will try something new if a product is on promotion, highlighting how brands can shift consumers’ preferences through strategic and well-timed campaigns.

Consideration through careful curation

Balancing brand presence and driving sales across owned and third-party channels online and in-store is a tall order, especially when competition and complexity only continue to grow.

With a strategic approach, brands can curate the clutter to ensure they stand out from the crowd. Brands that can enhance the customer journey through clarity, consistency, visibility or positioning will be more memorable, and ultimately succeed in a busy and potentially overwhelming retail setting.

To read the published article by Dan Todaro, Gekko Group CEO, please visit Retail Sector

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Aug 28 2025
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Listen Up!

One of the most common traps we see is treating the entire audio market as a single entity. It’s not. In reality, it’s split into two categories. The first is the hypervolatile world of personal audio. Here, trends in wireless earbuds and portable speakers move like fast fashion; a feature like AI-powered noise cancellation or spatial audio can go from a differentiator to a baseline expectation in a single generation of product releases.

The second is the considered purchase, high-investment world of hi-fi. This is a marathon, not a sprint. The customer journey is longer, driven by a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, acoustic heritage, and demonstrable performance. Here, trust is the primary currency. A retailer’s authority is built over years, not months, and a single misguided product choice can damage a carefully curated reputation. Trying to apply the same strategy to both is a recipe for failure — you’ll either exhaust your hi-fi customers with fleeting trends or appear ancient to the earbud crowd.

First up is the Headphone (1), Nothing’s first-ever pair of over-ear headphones. It’s a significant move for the brand, taking them into the premium audio space to compete with established giants. True to their style, the headphones feature a distinctive transparent design but also add practical, tactile controls
(a roller and paddle) instead of relying only on touch. To ensure high-quality sound. Nothing entered into a major Partnership with KEF, the highly respected British brand, co-engineering the acoustics for the Headphone (1).

Amp up

Next up, the resurgence of vinyl. It is no longer just a trend; it’s a significant, mainstream
movement backed by hard numbers. In the UK, vinyl sales have now seen an incredible 17 consecutive years of growth, with music fans purchasing 6.7 million LPs in 2024 alone (BPI/Official Charts Company).
But here’s the modern dilemma: the very people driving this revival have built their home lives around the convenience of wireless, multiroom speaker systems. So, how do you bridge that gap?
That’s precisely the problem the Victrola Stream Onyx was built to solve. The Victrola Stream Onyx taps directly into this by offering a simple, elegant solution. In non-technical terms it’s a high-quality record player officially certified to work wirelessly with any Sonos speaker in your home.

Meanwhile, the hi-fi audio category continues to hold its ground and even grow, despite the fast shifts in other areas of personal audio. In 2025, the global hi-fi market is projected to grow from £12.4 billion to over £13.1 billion, with long-term forecasts estimating a rise to more than £22.2 billion by 2033 (DataHorizzon Research, 2025; The Business Research Company, 2025). Wired systems, prized for their clarity and fidelity, still account for roughly 68% of global revenue (GlobeNewswire, April 2025), but wireless hi-fi is gaining ground fast, particularly in residential and automotive segments.

Tune in

The UK’s own hi-fi market is expected to hit £1.1 billion by the end of the decade (Future Market Insights, 2025). This growth isn’t just being driven by longtime audiophiles; there’s a new wave of listeners who value audio quality but also want the simplicity of smart home integration, wireless setups, and even AI-enhanced tuning. Beyond the established worlds of headphones, earbuds, and even high-end hi-fi, a new form factor for portable music is quietly emerging: smart audio glasses.

The leading example of this trend are Meta’s range AI glasses. While they are known for their hands-free camera, a core feature is their ability to play music and take calls. This is achieved through discreet “open ear” speakers built into the arms of the glasses.

This isn’t about replacing headphones; it’s about creating a new category of use. The customer for audio glasses is someone who prioritises convenience and safety over critical listening. They are buying into a lifestyle where music and information are seamlessly layered onto their daily activities.

Understanding your customer’s intent is everything. Personal audio, home audio, and hi-fi are no longer just product categories; they’re expressions of identity, taste, and lifestyle. Treat them that way, and the strategy will follow. Ignore the nuance, and you’ll miss the mark entirely.

To read the published article by Rupert Cook, Marketing Director, please visit ERT

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Jul 15 2025
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Creating strategic friction through experiential to harness sales

The in-store shopping experience has emerged as a critical differentiator for physical retail, where shoppers have increasingly high expectations. Creating an enhanced in-store experience is standard practice within many retailers, in particular with the considered purchase sector.

Exceptional customer service remains high on the list for customers, with knowledgeable, friendly, and proactive staff playing a crucial role in guiding and assisting shoppers. Our own research has shown what matters to shoppers with 60 per cent wanting a pleasant retail environment, while 42 per cent of people want to speak to knowledgeable staff. However, it may come as a surprise to many of you that consider your store to be the best customer experience for your customers; whilst 75 per cent of us prefer to shop in person, it’s shocking to realise that only 9 per cent are usually happy with their in-store experience. 

Audiences today are demanding more from their in-store experience, and for good reason, because 73 per cent of consumers consider experience as an important factor in their purchasing decisions, behind price and product quality. It’s not just the experience in-store that counts either, because getting your brands involved to support you to help enhance the shopper journey could help you tap into the 91 per cent of consumers who confirmed they would feel more optimistic about a brand’s product or service after actively participating in a brand activation or experience.

When you consider that your opportunity to grab the attention of shoppers is between 5-180 seconds, your displays and how visitors are greeted and served is essential in converting browsers into shoppers. 

Retailers that offer immersive experiences can see a significant increase in dwell time and average basket size, particularly in consumer electronics and home appliances. So creating strategic friction to not make the customer feel rushed, is becoming increasingly welcomed, as is personalisation, as two-thirds of shoppers are more likely to spend with brands that offer personalised in-store experiences, using data and relevant content that relates to them. 

Experiential marketing has a profound impact on consumer purchasing behaviour, with 85 per cent of consumers more inclined to buy after attending a live marketing event. It not only attracts new customers but also fosters loyalty, with 70 per cent of consumers becoming regular customers after an experiential marketing event. A significant 65 per cent of brands acknowledge that experiential marketing events are directly related to sales success, underscoring the strategy’s effectiveness in driving revenue. 

At the intersection of where retail meets experiential, the lines are often blurred and occasionally the term experiential is referenced when in reality there has been zero positive impact to the consumer based on their experience. The need to create retail theatre that is proportionate to your audience and outlets where you sell your products is critical to your experiential success. The online experience therefore needs to match the experience in-store and seamlessly connect, as this may be the customer’s starting point. At the point of purchase, the moment the consumer steps in, the experience begins, not merely when they begin to browse, look, touch, or listen. The customer journey should reflect you and the brand’s advertising and create a pleasurable experience, which reflects positively on both retailer and brand to create buyers and long-term advocates of your brands and repeat customers to your store.

The experience should include real-life user scenarios, not the dream glossy lifestyle magazine, because we don’t live that way. We inhabit homes that have clutter and move at the pace of a growing family and therefore the customer relates to the achievable and not the unobtainable. It’s great to instill aspiration and keeping up with the Joneses but keep it real and relatable so that it resonates with the customer. This creates an experience worthy of their hard-earned cash, because when it comes to the considered purchase sector, there is no greater enemy to a brand than a poor customer experience.

To read the published article by Dan Todaro, Gekko Group CEO, please visit ERT

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Jun 18 2025
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Why Forcing Loyalty Could Be a Terrible Long-Term Strategy

Nearly everyone in the UK is signed up to at least one loyalty scheme, according to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). But the shift from a points-based reward system to a membership that offers reduced pricing at the point of purchase strong-arms consumers into signing up, irrespective of want or need.

Following high inflation over the past two years that has seen prices rocket, many consumers are trying to cut their costs. The sizeable discounts on offer for those signed up to loyalty schemes are a welcome gesture for many consumers, but some may feel they do not have a choice.

Others may feel the exchange of data for discounts is justified, but this new approach is shifting loyalty from earned to transaction.

Mind the values gap

It could be argued that when brands offered rewards, they gained trust, goodwill and loyalty from consumers. But this transactional approach makes it almost impossible for brands to build authentic, two-way relationships that would perhaps keep consumers coming back regardless of the rewards or discounts on offer.

Granted, in crowded categories, rewards can create churn amongst consumers who decide to switch brands because products are on offer, and in the process they try something new that they prefer.

Strong relationships are typically built through high quality customer interactions and experiences, but given the current economy, where many consumers are trying to cut costs, brands are more often focusing on the quick wins by offering discounts.

Short-term approaches may deliver results, but long-term, focusing on customer experience (CX) will win out — and result in lower acquisition costs and a loyal customer base that won’t be lured by offers from competitors.

Not only does ‘forced loyalty’ impact a brand’s long term relationships with customers, it has the potential to create a divide between brand and consumer values. More than two in five (43%) shoppers consider it unfair that loyalty scheme members pay lower prices for some products, and while it does not put them off signing up, it does suggest dissatisfaction and frustration with the shopper experience, creating apathy towards retailers.

The risk of digital exclusion

This unfairness between customers is even more pronounced when it comes to vulnerable consumers. In the same way that older consumers and those with learning difficulties prefer to make payments via physical means — either cash or card — they also find it much easier and less confusing to use a loyalty card, rather than an app.

Yet, almost all retailers are opting to move to app-only loyalty schemes.

While operating a digital-only loyalty scheme is acceptable to many consumers, especially when AI and machine learning offer greater personalisation, it can result in digital exclusion of others.

Only two-thirds (67%) of consumers over 65 have access to a smartphone, which means a third of pensioners are unable to access the best deals from retailers despite being some of the most financially vulnerable consumers.

Even for brands whose audiences skew younger, there is still a risk of excluding those with learning disabilities – and while there is a drive to appear inclusive, the focus on app-delivered loyalty schemes brings the authenticity of those initiatives into question. Brands must consider who their app is for, and whether it delivers true value for all consumers.

The latest developments are even more concerning. Some brands are trialling systems by which consumers cannot even enter a store without having an app downloaded, which means that those who do not have a smartphone will be excluded from the store itself, as well as the best discounts.

Forcing loyalty may be counterintuitive

While companies are securing customer data by all but forcing consumers to sign up to their loyalty schemes, the loss of the reward experience is only increasing brand switching. If a competitor starts undercutting on price, many consumers will switch without a second thought. Why? Because they have been given no other reason to stay and irrespective of loyalty it’s the price that will always win through for them.

Customer experience should be at the heart of brands’ loyalty strategy. Consumers’ value choice, and yet the focus on transactional loyalty restricts their options. Instead, brands should focus on giving consumers’ a wider choice of how they interact with the brand, ensuring that those from vulnerable groups are not excluded — and then give them reasons to keep coming back, whether that is through exceptional customer service, rewards or shared values.

To read the published article by Dan Todaro, Gekko Group CEO, please visit CXM

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May 28 2025
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The Retro Revolution

Like fashion, interior design cycles through eras and defines consumer trends that filter through to consumer electronics and more so MDA categories and right now, the dial is firmly tuned to ‘Retro Revival’. This isn’t just about dusting off relics; it’s a vibrant movement injecting an individual’s personality into our homes by cleverly marrying the distinct aesthetics of decades past with the smarts of today’s technology. After years where clinical minimalism often reigned, there’s a clear craving for spaces that tell a story, feel warm, and express individuality.

Increasingly, consumers are seeking out items – for their living rooms,kitchens, and even their family rooms or dens – that offer both stylish throwback appeal combined with totally modern performance. Finding these unique pieces is easier too, thanks to the booming move for used furniture in the UK. This market is predicted to reach £1.1 billion by 2027 after huge 40.8 per cent growth (2022-2027, GlobalData). Buying secondhand also helps people find unique items at affordable prices and is good for the planet. It shows people want unique styles – Pinterest saw searches for “Vintage maximalism” jump by 260 per cent this year.

This love for character is showing up in kitchens too. Instead of just white or grey, cabinets that have dominated interior design for the past decade, they are becoming colourful and random. Recent Houzz UK figures show greens (used by 21 per cent for lower units) and blues (16 per cent) are popular choices, often matched with wood finishes (seen in 14-18 per cent of worktops or cabinets). Eye-catching appliances are key: like fridges in bright colours are popular centrepieces and give the kitchen a focal point that becomes a conversation piece, often alongside matching small gadgets like retro-style toasters and kettles. Retro on the outside but pack all the latest tech inside.

The trend is to move away from white, off white and great and move towards a more colourful pallet based on today’s colour pallet making them still on trend – Pinterest reported searches for “Cherry vibe” were up an amazing 325 per cent. Without doubt the most well-known brand for retro appliances is SMEG, with their range of refrigerators plus an array of other retro-style appliances and SDA ranges including kettles, toasters, and coffee machines. 

Vintage is in

There are other brands offering the same and arguably at a more appealing budget suitable to all pockets like Swan who offers a comprehensive “Retro Range” with kettles, toasters, microwaves, slow cookers, and so many more, often in a variety of colours and at a more accessible price point.

It’s not just how our homes look – it’s the sound as well. Vinyl records have been making a huge comeback for a while. UK sales hit 6.1 million LPs in 2023 – an 11.8 per cent increase and the highest since 1990 (BPI/ WhatHiFi). People enjoy holding the record, the process of playing it, and the warm sound quality vinyl is known for. At the same time, the classic radio is getting a stylish, modern makeover. Brands like Roberts Radio and Pure do this well, creating radios like the ‘Revival Icon’ that have that great vintage look but include modern features like digital radio (DAB+), streaming, and smart connectivity.

As with every decade, styles and tastes evolve to match the zeitgeist and it seems that ‘Retro Revival’ is clearly more than just a short-term fad. The move to creating unique and personal looks as an extension of a person’s personality is especially important in today’s fast-paced world where social media is crowded with copy cats. It’s not about copying the past exactly, but about carefully curating styles with today’s features we all need and want in our homes.

As designers keep coming up with new ideas and user cases create needs that have not yet been imagined or invented, expect to see even more interesting ways that merge past styles and future tech, it seems that taking inspiration from the past is helping us create better spaces for the future.

To read the published article by Dan Todaro, Gekko Group CEO, please visit ERT

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Jan 31 2025
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Elevate your personal wellness with smart tech

A new smart tech wellness brand is launching into the UK market with a new range of products to help on-the-go consumers mitigate muscle tension and stress.

SKG is a smart technology brand that specialises in wearable health and wellness devices. Using smart tech, each product is designed to help users decompress and easily elevate their wellness routine. The cleverly designed G7 Pro-Fold Neck Massager and E3 Pro Eye Massager can seamlessly integrate into your daily routine both at home and on the go.

Firstly, the SKG G7 Pro-Fold Neck Massager is a pulse massage machine that helps reduce stress-induced neck pain and strain. Its 180-degree foldable design ensures easy portability, making it the perfect option for both the gym and travel. Experience instant relief and ultimate relaxation anytime, anywhere with this must-have on-the-go massager.


Equipped with red light technology, the G7 can penetrate muscles to a depth of 10mm, providing a faster, quicker relief from pain and tightness.

The G7, which won an IF Design Award last year, can be controlled through your phone, providing instant release at your fingertips. With five different massage modes, six pulse levels and four levels of heating, the convenient app puts you in control for effortless, instant relief.

Then there’s the SKG E3 Pro Eye Massager – a relaxing massager that helps alleviate eye fatigue and sooth eye pressure. Its innovative 3D groove design ensures no direct pressure on the eyes, helping users to decompress and unwind with ease.

Featuring a see-through mask for added visibility, it seamlessly integrates into your daily routine. And with six separate pressure points, the eye massager provides a delicate and gentle pulse motion for a truly spa-like experience.

For those travelling overnight or looking to reduce eye inflammation, the E3 includes a heat compression functionality to help under eye bags and reduce dark circles, leaving you feeling refreshed and revitalised.

SKG strives to make wellness accessible to everyone by combining education, innovation, and over a decade of experience in the tech and wellness space. The brand aims to be a one-stop shop for people looking to improve their health and well-being through technology.

To read the published article, please visit ERT

Photo by ERT

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Nov 20 2024
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Why digital shelf analysis is the key to Black Friday success

After another year of squeezed personal finances and lacklustre sales, retailers and brands are hoping for the biggest Black Friday ever to boost sales and profitability.

Last year, consumers spent £3.45bn over the Black Friday weekend, with 66% of purchases estimated to have taken place online. With fierce competition for a share of the Black Friday pie, brands need to ensure that their digital footprint is shipshape before the frenzy begins.

Getting your house in order

While pricing is important, it is not the only thing that brands need to consider – particularly if they have big-ticket items on offer. For brands that work with multiple third-party retailers, the chaos surrounding Black Friday means that ideal positioning, product descriptions and images can fall by the wayside – but this can lead to a disjointed experience for consumers.

When consumers are faced with multiple deals and a wide range of product options across multiple retailers, consistent presentation in digital merchandising is critical for avoiding confusion. Trying to compare different but similar products – or the same products across different websites – becomes much more challenging when descriptions, specifications and images are inconsistent, potentially losing sales to brands or products which are better aligned across platforms.

Certain elements, particularly description and images, are also critical for search, so it is important to ensure that your digital merchandising is on point so that potential customers find your product in the first place.

But, for brands working with multiple retailers, reviewing and tracking how products are presented manually can be a huge – arguably impossible – undertaking, so finding a digital shelf analysis or web-scraping service that can automate part of the process can significantly help when it comes to getting your house in order.

By tracking, collating and analysing data on your products, brands can identify where standards may have slipped or information vital for consistency and searchability is missing, and approach their account managers in good time – before the Black Friday chaos begins in earnest.

Thinking beyond the self to the wider shelf

During this discounting period, competition is fierce. When it comes to analysing your brand’s digital merchandising performance, it is critical that you think beyond consistency, stock levels and presentation, and consider the whole shelf.

If you are already undertaking analysis of your brand’s positioning, consider the value of analysing the whole shelf. How do your products stack up against your competitors? Maintaining your own marketing strategy is critical, but at a time when prices are constantly changing, it is important to know where you stand.

This is where digital shelf analysis that tracks not only your own products, but the competitors can really come into its own, helping you to create a real-time competitor strategy. Combining data from web-scraping with retail expertise will enable you to respond to competitors’ activity with your own at the right time and across the right platforms.

Staying one step ahead

Third-party retailers are juggling data from all their brands, and relying on their feedback could leave you behind the pack. Everyone wants a piece of the Black Friday pie and when the chaos hits, you’ll want to be armed with real-time and past data that can help you stay consistent and searchable and reactive to competitors.

Based on an analysis of data from GWS, our proprietary analysis tool, retailers started discounting from mid-November last year – and some of the biggest deals for consumers hit before the Black Friday weekend started. Equipping yourself with actionable information will allow you to be competitive when it counts, allowing you to cut through in an increasingly fragmented and challenging environment. 

To read the published article by Toby Stupples, Client Delivery Director please visit PMW

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Oct 25 2024
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Reaching the Peak

The Golden Quarter for retail is upon us and hopefully, by the end of the year, the figures will be reporting a successful Christmas period for retailers and pointing towards an even rosier outlook for 2025. Since the last retail peak season we have had a change in government and there is noise that the intention is to introduce economic policies designed to boost disposable income, including raising the minimum wage and public sector salaries. The potential increase in spending power for some is offset by the worry for many that increased taxation will mean the cost of living crisis will continue to leave its unwelcome mark.

Alongside this Labour has also pledged to reform the business rates system, which is a major burden for physical retailers. Their proposed new system of business property taxation aims to reduce costs for high-street shops, levelling the playing field between brick-and-mortar stores and online retailers. This is expected to reduce operational costs, allowing businesses to invest more in customer experience and competitive pricing.​

Focus on revitalising the High Streets will be very much welcomed, whether through the aforementioned reduced taxation for brick-and-mortar stores or measures like introducing banking hubs and cracking down on shoplifting by increasing police presence. These efforts are designed to create safer, more vibrant shopping environments, which could attract more foot traffic and increase sales for local businesses​.

The reality though is that it’s too early to say what impact the new government will have on the fortunes of the retail sector in the UK, so retailers need to focus on maximising the opportunities that the peak season presents, seeking wherever possible to boost sales and leave a positive lasting impression with customers. The challenge is tough. While high inflation is perhaps not the worry of 12 months ago, rising living costs are still very much having an impact and then there are factors such as staffing challenges and store closures. To ensure a successful golden quarter, retailers must take a strategic approach. By prioritising adaptability, customer engagement and operational efficiency, retailers can stand out and remain competitive, even as consumers potentially cut back on spending.

Success during this time also demands careful planning, strategic insight, and perfect execution. Without proper preparation, retailers risk missed opportunities and unhappy customers. To make the most of the peak season, it’s essential to start planning early. This involves setting pricing strategies, organising promotions, staffing, launching marketing campaigns, and making any necessary operational adjustments, such as embracing digital transformations or strengthening supply chain resilience.

First and foremost, adopting an omni-channel approach that seamlessly blends online and offline shopping experiences is essential. Offering customers the flexibility to research, purchase and receive products across multiple channels ensures a smooth and convenient shopping experience. This should be viewed as a long-term strategy, not a short-term solution, as it creates a strong foundation for attracting, converting, and retaining customers. 

Another overlooked strategy which has caused a lot of customer irritation for many retailers and online stores during a Black Friday or an event is website load capacity. We’ve seen it countless times where websites have crashed on the customer due to an overwhelming amount of traffic to the site, this in turn can cause a spiral of negatives, ranging from loss of sales, loss of customers and negative reviews. It’s 2024, there shouldn’t be a situation where the website is overloaded and subsequently crashes due to traffic load, this is a recurring theme for many businesses and sites and needs to be taken seriously in the planning stage. 

Investing in technology is key to enhancing the online shopping experience for your customers and it can also provide a significant advantage for retailers. Improved website functionality and optimised mobile responsiveness can help create the seamless omni-channel experience retailers aim for. This combined with the website reliability/stability that comes from investment, will set your website apart from the crowd. Additionally, emerging technologies like AI-powered assistance, virtual try-ons, and AR options can further elevate the experience by allowing consumers to visualise products in their own homes.

Offering targeted promotions and discounts to drive sales during the golden quarter is a proven strategy, but it’s crucial to know when and when not to discount. Retailers might consider bundling products, offering exclusive deals, and leveraging loyalty programmes to encourage repeat business, these promotions are by far the most common ones implemented, however, there’s been a rise in alternative promotional discount incentives such as tiered discounts, which are seen more and more with the basic concept being progressive discounts to entice customers to spend more, e.g. 10% off for £50 spent, 20% off for £100 spent. Another seemingly popular promotion is the flash sale. These limited-time discounts create a sense of urgency, which can generate excitement and increase traffic. You’ll see a lot of these flash sales with Amazon and their Prime Day, where offers can last up to an hour or until stock runs out. However, as much as these promotions can boost demand, it is essential to plan ahead and ensure a strong, stable supply chain to avoid disruptions. Building supply chain resilience is key to meeting customer demand, so where possible, consider diversifying suppliers to safeguard product availability.

Retailers offering online sales will have already put careful thought into their delivery and returns policies. However, as peak season approaches, it may be time to reassess. Were there any lessons from last year? Free returns are highly valued by many shoppers and could give you an edge over competitors. As we’ve seen recently, there are countless businesses that are charging for returns now, usually in the form of passing the postage cost over to the customer, which re-emphasises how much customers value free returns and the edge it can give you over your competitors. However, managing the increase in orders can strain customer service teams. Whatever approach you take, it must be clearly communicated to customers and streamlined to ensure a smooth, integrated returns process.

Effective customer service is essential, and it’s crucial to equip staff with the skills needed to deliver outstanding service both in-store and online. Well-trained employees can significantly improve the shopping experience and foster lasting customer relationships. In the world of the internet where all information is at your fingertips many shoppers will have already researched before entering stores, so simply repeating what’s on the display POS won’t be enough. Empower sales advisors to impress customers with their expertise, advice, and recommendations, making the customer feel like they’ve made the correct decision in coming into the store. Moreover, taking care of your team and ensuring they feel valued at work will not only improve retention but also lead to more positive customer interactions, enhancing the overall shopping journey and encouraging repeat business.

Finally, retailers should explore the support their suppliers can offer. Many brands are keen to assist with a range of activities such as product training, promotional efforts, or additional brand ambassador staffing, in-turn it not only boosts sales of their products but also benefits your business in the process.

As we know, consumers will have no shortage of options for where to spend their money, so it is pivotal that retailers go the extra mile to stand out. Whether this is through engaging marketing— through store representatives, training, or merchandising— all of which can help ensure customers know who you are and why they should choose your products. Once you’ve captured their attention, loyalty and long-term success will follow, extending well beyond the holiday season.

To read the published article by Dan Todaro, Gekko Group CEO please visit ERT

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