Request ERT magazine
Sign up to the
e-newsletter
Go
Latest News [2008] archive from June 2008
| Humax releases update for Freesat HD box
Humax has reportedly released an update for its high definition Freesat box, the Foxsat-HD. | |
| Shaun takes on a new Channel
Following his 1100 mile cycle ride to Rome last year, Canterbury retailer Shaun Barrett is to embark on another charity marathon. | |
| BBC starts DVB-T2 test transmissions for Freeview HD
The BBC has begun DVB-T2 test transmissions in preparation for high definition services on digital terrestrial TV platform Freeview. 30 June 2008 | |
| MP angry that Sky is chief supplier to Borders switchover help scheme
A Borders MP has reacted angrily to news that the Digital Switchover Help Scheme has made Sky the main equipment provider in the region. 27 June 2008 | |
| Digital tick logo a mystery says MP
Awareness of the digital tick label – the logo that indicates a product is ready for digital TV switchover – has been slammed by a powerful committee of MPs. 27 June 2008 | |
| BBC plans to put iPlayer on TV screens
The BBC is looking at ways to bring internet-based TV catch-up services such as its iPlayer on to TV screens. | |
| DSGi profits slump 30 per cent
A 30 per cent drop in pre-tax profits has been reported by DSGi international, the parent company of Currys, PC World and Dixons. 26 June 2008 | |
| Sony said its TV and games businesses will be profitable this year
Japanese brown goods giant Sony said it intends to make its TV and games businesses profitable by the end of this financial year, which closes on March 31, 2009. | |
| Roberts launches the world's first solar-powered DAB radio
Roberts has launched what it claims is the world’s first portable solar-powered DAB radio. | |
| Petition calls on Government to help smallest firms
A petition urging the Government to put the country's smallest businesses at the heart of decision-making has been posted on the 10 Downing Street website. 26 June 2008 | |
| BBC unveils new-generation iPlayer
The BBC will tomorrow launch its next-generation iPlayer allowing users to access all its TV and radio shows for the week. | |
| LG to focus on Europe
Europe is to play the central role in the global ambitions of LG Electronics | |
| Top Up TV adds Warner Bros VOD
25 June 2008 | |
| Slight rise in Comet sales and profits
Sales at Comet grew by 2.9 per cent (up 0.3 per cent like-for-like) to £1.7 billion in the 12 months to April 30. | |
| Retra chief executive speaks to ERTV
In an exclusive ERTV Talking Shop interview, Retra’s chief executive, Bryan Lovewell, has outlined the work of his organisation and explained how it assists independent retailers. | |
| Digital radio group calls for all major radio stations to switch to DAB by 2020
The Digital Radio Working Group (DWRG) has urged larger FM stations to begin to migrate to DAB with total migration completed by 2020. 24 June 2008 | |
| Weekly sales at John Lewis down 4%
Sales at John Lewis were down by 4 per cent year-on-year last week (14 June 2007-2008), continuing the trend for retail gloom. | |
| Online shopping across EU borders to be made easier
The European Union's consumer chief is considering new rules to help Europe's online consumers shop across borders. 23 June 2008 | |
| Dixons launches Facebook group
DSGi has launched a sponsored Dixons.co.uk group on Facebook - the social networking site. | |
| Demand for online video booming says ITV
ITV has had a four-fold increase in video views on its main website since the sites were relaunched last August. | |
| Sony screams about Bravia
To celebrate the launch of the Bravia E4000 series of TVs, Sony has announced a creative partnership with the acclaimed London gallery Scream, which is owned by rock musician Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones. | |
| Slow broadband holds back Web TV progress
The internet TV revolution will only become a reality when the UK’s | |
| Cold calling
The fridge is the most popular tool to send messages between family members. | |
| New Toshiba processor can upscale standard video footage to HD
Toshiba has unveiled a new Quad Core HD processor, which, it claims, is capable of converting standard definition video footage into High Definition. | |
| Petition launched against Manchester congestion charging
A petition against a proposed congestion charge in Manchester has been launched by the Forum of Private Business (FPB) . 19 June 2008 | |
| Sainsbury's offline
Thousands of Sainsbury's customers failed to have their shopping delivered following the suspension of the supermarket group's online grocery service. 19 June 2008 | |
| Heavyweight industry speakers to appear at Intellect CE Conference
An impressive selection of guest speakers has been lined-up for this year’s Intellect Consumer Electronics (CE) Conference, which is free for retailers to attend. | |
| Sainsbury’s reports ‘challenging economic environment’
Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has reported slow sales growth in the last three months as the company experienced a "challenging economic environment". | |
| Miele and Panasonic scoop Which? honours
Miele, Panasonic and the head of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) were among the winners at the second annual Which? Awards. | |
| Currys sees a rise in ‘stranded’ expats
Technological differences between countries are leaving record numbers of Brits stranded with unusable UK household electrical and technology products, according to Currys. | |
| Bish-Jones to leave Woolworths
Woolworths has announced its chief executive is to step down and has reported a further decline in sales. | |
| Inflation busts through three per cent barrier
Bank of England governor Mervyn King has had to write a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer explaining why inflation has shot through the three per cent barrier. 17 June 2008 | |
| AEG-Electrolux campaign finds London is loudest
A recently concluded advertising campaign conducted by AEG-Electrolux for its Silent Laundry products showed that there are surprisingly high average noise levels in London, Berlin, Madrid, Brussels and Milan. | |
| Fatman signs global distribution deal with Armour
Fatman, which is known for its iTube ValveDock amp, has signed a global agreement with Armour Home Electronics. | |
| New UK marketing director for LG
LG has appointed Andrew Warner as its new marketing director for the UK and Ireland. | |
| BBC to launch next generation iPlayer
The BBC will soon launch a new iPlayer that combines both radio and TV content. | |
| Stainless steel shortage prompts price warning
World shortages of steel have prompted a leading industry group to issue a warning about rising prices. | |
| Kiely’s Electrical closes its five shops in Ireland
Kiely’s Electrical has ceased all trading from its five outlets in the Republic of Ireland. | |
| Digital UK embarks on tour of Border TV region
The body leading the UK’s switch to digital TV has started a six-week tour of the Border region. | |
| Electricals lead the price slide
Electricals continue to lead price deflation in the UK’s non-food sector. | |
| Consumer confidence at its lowest since 2003
A third of Britons are now seriously worried about the economy, a new survey has revealed. | |
| BBC boost for internet viewing
The BBC is to build on the success of its iPlayer by developing bbc.co.uk to include a broad range of the Corporation's broadcast content as well as interactive media. | |
| Roberts revives its Paul Smith partnership
Roberts has teamed up with Paul Smith to create a special edition Revival DAB radio for the tenth anniversary of the top designer’s Westbourne House store in London. 13 June 2008 | |
| Now Ofcom reveals plans to auction "white space"
Following the launch last week of consultations on its proposals for auctioning the spectrum freed by digital TV switchover, regulator Ofcom has now launched a second consultation on the release of spectrum "white space". 12 June 2008 | |
| Argos reports flat like-for-like sales
Although its sales grew by four per cent to £929 million in the 13 weeks to March 2 to May 31, like-for-like sales at high street catalogue retailer Argos remained flat in its first financial quarter. 12 June 2008 | |
| Lack of investment hindering UK business
UK businesses risk being left behind in the global marketplace unless they invest more money on research and development. | |
| Glen Dimplex to launch cooking school with WI
A drive to persuade more people to take up cooking is being spearheaded by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances and the Women's Institute (WI). | |
| Sony Walkman Wirefree users offered free downloads
Free downloads for Sony Walkman MP3 customers have been arranged by Sony UK in two separate deals. 11 June 2008 | |
| May sees rise in retail sales value
The value of UK retail sales rose 1.9 per cent in May compared with the same month a year ago following year-on-year declines in March and April. | |
| EU reaches agreement on the 48-hour week and temporary workers
European Union members have agreed to let workers continue to opt out of the 48-hour working week and have granted more rights to temporary workers. 10 June 2008 | |
| Tesco increases non-food share
Supermarket giant Tesco reported that its non-food business had made strong market share gains in the 13 weeks to May 24. 10 June 2008 | |
| Apple launches next generation iPhone
Apple unveiled its much-anticipated ‘iPhone 3G’ in San Francisco yesterday. | |
| Mesher named as Philips UK chief
Philips has appointed Neil Mesher as managing director of the new Consumer Lifestyle business in the UK. | |
| Speculation mounts over next-gen iPhone
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone version 2 at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference that starts today (June 9) in San Francisco. | |
| BSH warns UK to cut CO2 emissions by 80%
“The UK needs to reduce its CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by the year 2050 in order to avoid dangerous climate change.” | |
| Sales slump at Jessops
Troubled camera retailer Jessops has reported a 24.7 per cent slump in first half sales – down to £134.8 million. The business is now expected to make a small loss for the year. | |
| BRC talks to Government on the effects of EU anti-dumping duties on poor
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is briefing the Government today on the impact of European anti-dumping duties on the poorest people. 06 June 2008 | |
| Price rises fastest for 16 years
High street prices in the year to May have increased at their fastest rate for 16 years. | |
| Electricals lead fall in John Lewis weekly sales
John Lewis has reported its fourth consecutive fall in weekly sales. | |
| DSGi will not be on the high street in five years, claims retail consultant
Former retailer turned consultant, Malcolm Marshall, has given a frank interview to ERTV, in which he predicts that DSGi, which operates Currys, Currys Digital and PC World, will not have a presence on the high street within five years.
05 June 2008 | |
| Planet Rock saved by consortium buyout
DAB station Planet Rock has been saved from closure by a consortium headed up by a millionaire radio fanatic and supported by a group of rock stars. | |
| Interest rates stay at five per cent
UK interest rates are to remain at five per cent, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) said today. | |
| Retailers are paying price of recycling
Retailers are contributing millions of pounds a year to help support Government approved recycling schemes, now local authorities must do their bit, a retail chief has warned. 05 June 2008 | |
| BBC plans to boost internet viewing
The BBC is to build on the success of its iPlayer by developing bbc.co.uk to include a broad range of the Corporation's broadcast content as well as interactive media. | |
| Small businesses can combat credit crunch
Small businesses are showing resilience in the face of the credit crunch, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). | |
| ITV's first public HD broadcast to be Euro 2008
ITV's first public high-definition broadcast will be coverage of the Portugal/Turkey match on the first day of the Euro 2008 championships. 04 June 2008 | |
| Digital switchover roadshow to start Border region tour this week
The body leading the UK's switch to digital TV is to begin a six-week tour of the Border region at Duns on Friday (June 6). 04 June 2008 | |
| Top retail names lined up for BRC conference
Comet boss Hugh Harvey and Sir Stuart Rose of Marks and Spencer are among major retail chiefs who will discuss ways to beat the economic downturn at next week's British Retail Consortium conference in London. | |
| Freeview boxes stop working
Some older TV set-top boxes have not been able to receive digital terrestrial TV services in the West Midlands since changes were made to local Freeview transmissions on May 28. 03 June 2008 | |
| London has fastest broadband
Average broadband speeds in London are nearly twice those in Wales and Northern Ireland, a survey for BBC news has revealed. 03 June 2008 | |
| Smeg's in the pink for breast cancer
Smeg has teamed up with Breakthrough Breast Cancer, the UK’s charity committed to fighting breast cancer through research, campaigning and education. 02 June 2008 | |
| Canon voted most trusted camera brand in Reader's Digest poll
Reader’s Digest readers have voted Canon the most trusted camera brand in Europe for 2008, as part of the magazine’s annual Trusted Brands survey. 02 June 2008 | |
| Virgin Radio sold for £53 million
Scottish media company SMG has sold Virgin Radio to a group led by the Times of India (TIML) for £53.2m. | |
