Robotic cleaner brand iRobot has announced its delight that that the category is growing much faster than the total vacuum cleaner market, yet believes independent retailers are missing out on sales.
Year-on-year (Apr-Mar 13-14, Apr-Mar 14-15), the value of the UK vacuum cleaners’ market as measured by GfK has risen in value by 11%.
GfK business group director for consumer electronics Nigel Catlow said: “The robot vacuum sector is currently a very small part of the total floorcare market, but is growing in value over the same period by 55% in value.
“If this growth is maintained it looks to be a good opportunity for specialist retailers. Independent electrical retailers currently underperform in the robot sector relative to their share of the total vacuum cleaners’ market.”
Witt UK & Ireland is the distributor of the iRobot range of vacuum cleaners and floor cleaners.
Bo Simonsen, Witt UK & Ireland market manager, said: “With more than a decade of cleaning homes around the world, iRobot understands consumer needs in Europe and the wide range of challenges associated with robotic floor care – iRobot has sold more than 13 million robotic vacuum cleaners in the last 10 years and is committed to remaining the brand leader.
“With this in mind, iRobot delivers two new systems that raise the bar for cleaning efficacy, our consumers’ top priority. Bristle brushes have been around for a hundred years. With the Roomba 800 Series’ new AeroForce Extractors, iRobot has invented a completely different way to clean your floor. These robots, and the AeroForce technology behind them, are disrupting the floor care category yet again.
“As the creator of the home robot category, iRobot is dedicated to driving innovation and offering practical solutions to every day problems.”
