Will the Year of the Tiger 2022 be a success?

Now that the December figures for the market development for the industry's products have been published, it is quite clear that the full year 2021 has ended at a strong 'all time high' level and a full 8 percent better than the previous record year 2020. We are seeing solid sales increases in virtually all product segments within our industry. What do the companies in the industry say about this development?

Due to the fact that we have just entered the Year of the Tiger In 2022 according to the Chinese calendar, APPLiAnytt gathered some of the industry's really hungry tigers to comment on the past year as well as the prospects and expectations for the upcoming year 2022. We asked about what has affected our industry in 2021 and what will happen in the white goods and household appliances industry this year. Here are the answers from some of the industry companies:

Per Rosell, Moccamaster

How would you sum up the home appliance year 2021 in a few words?
”"We summarize 2021 as an eventful and different year for many reasons. There has been a great focus on the home office and in addition, creating environments that the user should feel comfortable in, but also be able to stand up for in terms of quality due to an increasing focus on the environment. Here, of course, the filter coffee maker has its place. The combination of high demand for quality products and Moccamaster's update of the product portfolio has at times created challenges in the form of greater demand vs. supply. The situation itself is not surprising, but as I said, it has nevertheless created some challenges."”

What were the most important events in the industry during the year?
”"We are experiencing an increasing focus on quality products, which is very positive. We also experience that mechanical sales are taking an increasingly larger place in the physical store, which places a premium on information and accessibility, both in terms of products and spare parts."”

What are you most looking forward to happening in the industry in 2022?
”"That the industry continues to focus and develop with the environment and smart utility products in focus. We hope of course that recycling is still in everyone's consciousness, but that repairability continues to take its place and become the new normal. Cutting a cord and throwing the product in the container because you can't fix it feels very old fashioned."”

Conny Thelberg, Cylinda

How would you sum up the white goods and household appliances year 2021 in a few words?
”"Good sales, despite challenges affected by the pandemic, shortage of components, delivery difficulties, and high sick leave among technicians. A lot has been demanded of our employees and they have handled these challenges with flying colors."”

What were the most important events in the industry during the year?
”"On the negative side, I have to say component shortages and rising freight and raw material prices. On the positive side, there was the easing of restrictions, where we had a somewhat more normal world for a period and the opportunity to meet our customers and see each other physically in the teams and lower absenteeism among employees."”

What are you most looking forward to happening in the industry in 2022?
”"Hopefully an end to the pandemic and continued good demand in the market."”

Peter Qwist, GRAM

How would you sum up the white goods and household appliances year 2021 in a few words?
”2021 was a very good year for the industry. Probably thanks in large part to the boring pandemic that continued in 2021. Consumers tended to upgrade their needs for white goods and household appliances, which benefited us in the industry. We at Gram followed the trend and just closed one of the company's best years ever. All-time high for several months in 2021.”

What were the most important events in the industry during the year?
”"It's hard to put your finger on important events. We entered 2021 with a very strong 2020 behind us. Uncertainty regarding the pandemic... And then everyone in the industry experienced delivery and transportation problems. We have all had to learn to tackle some new challenges during the pandemic. For us at Gram, our launch of the Sverigespisen has been very successful!"”

What are you most looking forward to happening in the industry in 2022?
”"As a product enthusiast, I hope for many new products and launches in the industry. It is the engine that drives our entire industry, which is positive. Then I keep my fingers crossed for our continued growth at Gram. The beginning of Q1 looks very bright, so generally I believe in a good 2022!"”

Adnan Dervesovic, DeLonghi

How would you sum up the white goods and household appliances year 2021 in one word?
”Dynamic (to say the least)!”

What were the most important events in the industry during the year?
”"We see in the wake of the pandemic that it has left several marks on us. Some of them are that we are at home more and by home we also mean the kitchen. It is clear that we are cooking more often, cooking more food from scratch and baking like never before. These behaviors are something we at Delonghi Group are extremely happy about and are convinced are here to stay!"”

What are you most looking forward to happening in the industry in 2022?
”"What is close to most of our hearts is coffee. Here, we believe that in the coming year we can see a continued redefinition of a 'cup of coffee', its shape, appearance and taste. Also, being able to return to personal meetings and start visiting our customers again, as well as returning to the 'new normal' is something I am very much looking forward to!"’

Richard Fornbäck, Samsung

How would you sum up the white goods and household appliances year 2021 in a few words?
”"In 2021, we have seen some new behaviors and habits among consumers that have increased their engagement with our products. Many have a lifestyle where they spend more and more time at home, where, among other things, home work is part of many people's everyday life. Our homes have become increasingly important and the need for products with both smart functions and tasteful design has increased, as we spend more and more time within the four walls of the house."”

What were the most important events in the industry during the year?
”The increased interest in the home is reflected in the fact that more and more people want to be able to adapt products and technology to their own preferences, tastes and needs. Not least when it comes to interior design. The launch of Samsung Bespoke is therefore something we are particularly proud of, a new series of refrigerators and freezers where the consumer has the opportunity to choose a product based on their own preferences such as color, function and size.”

What are you most looking forward to happening in the industry in 2022?
”"For 2022, we look forward to new exciting products and innovations that meet the needs of our consumers, with a focus on both simplifying and enhancing their everyday lives. With the hope that we will be able to meet and socialize more and more as usual again, we are especially looking forward to new products in the kitchen and cooking sector, as the kitchen will play a central role in many people's lives."”

Great confidence ahead of 2022

APPLiAnytt can conclude that our industry companies seem to be reasonably satisfied with the past record year and employees seem to have coped well with both the pandemic, logistics problems and component shortages during the year. They also make it clear that our working from home and staying at home during the pandemic in Sweden has influenced consumers to make logical household updates, which has been very positive for our entire industry.

Confidence for the Year of the Tiger 2022 also looks strong, so 'Bring in the Tigers'!

Kent Oderud, Chairman APPLiA

APPLiAnytt