Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Dyson has this week released details of their end of year 2009 performance and generally paints a positive picture. Highlights include:-

• Despite the recession, global sales for the company increased 23% to 770m GBP
• Operating profits more than doubled from 90m to 190m GBP
• The Dyson Air Multiplier is a top seller in Australia; within 6 weeks, representing 64% of the market for desk fans, by value.
• In the UK and US markets, the updated 'ball' range represents more than half of the Dyson cleaners sold.
• In the UK, the company has a total market share for vacuum cleaners, by value, of 40%.
• Dyson is the market leader for vacuum cleaner sales (by value) in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, France, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland and New Zealand.

Looking ahead, the company talks about new product launches scheduled towards the end of 2010 - a fair number of which (my speculation) are likely to continue the trend of offering a completive advantage by using digital motor technology. Ironically, a technology originally developed for use in their full-size vacuums, while all current models continue to use traditional motors.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/dyson-profits-double-thanks-to-rd-investment-1983841.html

http://www.themanufacturer.com/uk/content/10603/Dyson_cleans_up

http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/channel/Entrepreneurship/news/1006022/sales-vacuum-dyson-gadgets-cost-worth-paying/

http://www.eurekamagazine.co.uk/article/25296/Dyson-doubles-operating-profits.aspx - note: this has the statement 'The company has also confirmed plans to launch a robotic version of its bagless vacuum cleaner' - dunno if that's significant, but I haven't seen it reported elsewhere.

HSN, Home Shopping Network, has culled its inventory of dyson products with the caveat check back again products are added frequently.  I've been doing so but note that the upright selection is limited [believe it or not DC14 is still for sale at $349 yet DC 33 the latest and greatest can be purchased at a plethora of retailers for $318].  Dyson canisters and handhelds are and have been non-existent for some time now on the HSN site.  Not what I would expect during the ramping up of sales for the holiday season. 

http://home-solutions.hsn.com/dyson-floor-care-canister-handvacs_c-hw0108_a-2699-7401_xc.aspx?prev=hp!sf!7401&cm_re=department_carousel*page1_spot3_image*Dyson_Branding&ccm=HW|2699

Carmine D.

Hi Carmine,

Sears is doing them one better by supplying the DC14 online by way of an outsourced vendor for $389.99.

Venson

PS -- Happy shoppers/not so happy store employees, a local Sears will be open for Thanksgiving. Don't know if this applies to all branches as I've discovered no info one way or the other online.

My store is open on Thanksgiving, and I cannot wait for the lack of traffic on that day. Sears is a sinking ship, and is desperate for any strategy to bring in customers and sales.

iMacDaddy wrote:

Hi iMacDaddy,

Though it's changed a lot, I'd hate to see Sears go as I have very fond remembrances of it back in the day when it had everything from fishing tackle to washboards.

However, things have changed. There probably was a time when people wouldn't have thought about leaving home to go out to shop on Thanksgiving Day. It was considered a day for family. There to, things have changed.

Nonetheless, I am a bit surprised at Sears' pricing ideas as regards floor care items. Way, way up there when so many people are being cautious with just about every penny.

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving to you. Hope you can get out early . . .

Venson

I went by a local K-Mart today and saw that it is open 24 hours.  Also noted that there was not a dyson to be seen, not a display, brochure, and/or part like filters and tools.  Gone.  Lock stock and barrel.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine,

I wonder what they're doing. The K-Mart website is overloaded with Dyson vacs AND fans no less.

http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/search_10151_10104?keyword=dyson

Do chain store branches have the option to independently decide not to stock?

Venson

Venson wrote:

Hello Venson:

Yes, store managers for retailers have flexibility to stock/not to stock product in their stores as long as the brands and models are sanctioned by their Corporate Office.  In this store's case, the dyson vacuum products are being outsold by other vacuum brands and models and have been for quite awhile.  So a joint local-Corporate management decision was made to ditch in-store dysons.  In the current economy, and based on the vacuum competition, dyson vacuums on the K-Mart web site right now will probably sell as well as the dyson fans. 

Carmine D.

iMacDaddy wrote:

Hi all,

I just couldn't wait until tomorrow to ask -- who went shopping or worked in the stores this grand Thanksgiving day and what did you see?

Venson

Venson wrote:

Hi Venson:  Don't know if you are a daily hard copy newspaper suscriber.  After perusing the sales and ads, I'd say dyson was by far the biggest advertised vacuum product by big box retailers with the largest discounts offered: 25-35-50 percent from MSRP. 

Carmine D. 

CarmineD wrote:

Hi Carmine,

No need for newspapers around here. I haven't had a cat, bird or puppy for years.

I generally get my news off the net from all sorts of sources but mainly by way of the New York Times online. I also use Google for news alerts re vacuums. An interesting article re Dyson pricing in the UK appeared today. I pretty sure vacmanuk knows the skinny for real.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/nov/25/vacuum-cleaner-price-check

Best,

Venson