By Keri Algar
MALAGA, WA: Peter Kambouris, Kambo’s managing director said the new showroom was “exciting” for Western Australian retailers and that it would help develop better retail-supplier relationships.
“The Eastern seaboard might take these things for granted but we don’t get it in the West. We have Miele, and now Bosch…it’s fantastic,” said Kambouris.
“Bosch has invested in the height of the GFC in West Australia – we’re feeling [the GFC] now whereas you guys [in the East] would’ve been dealing with it a little bit longer – and to invest that sort of money in WA at the moment: amazing. They are a superior product; they are at the moment just the best kept secret.”
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Kambouris’ Bosch plug is kept in perspective when he discusses the differences between the two German brands’ penetration on a global scale.
“If we’re talking global scale then BSH is doing what they should be doing, finally. Miele, relatively speaking, is insignificant on a global market; it just has a massive presence in Australia.
“In Australia [BSH] is beginning to live out their actual place in the market and that is number one or number two. A brand like Siemens through Europe is number one, globally Bosch is number two, Miele doesn’t even rate in the top 30 – that’s not a hate against Miele, Miele has done an exceptionally great job in Australia.
“Bosch is finally seeing some value in the Australian market I believe.”
Kambouris said the new showroom would offer consumers an alternative and that until now Miele had benefited from exclusivity in terms of the showroom experience. He said the showroom would prove particularly beneficial to BSH because they have products “that are as dear as Miele if not dearer in the main.”
“From a customer’s perspective, with Miele you’ve got a beautiful showroom where they’re happy to cook for you, show, demonstrate and consult with you and make you feel special about buying a good appliance…but now there is a real alternative.”