After completing the biggest deal in the industry in 2024 with JB Hi-Fi, Rob Sinclair has shared his predictions for the year ahead.

In an exclusive interview with Appliance Retailer, Sinclair has shared his reflections on 2024 and provided an insight into what he is looking forward to in 2025.

The major highlight for e&s in 2024 was the investment in the business by the JB Hi-Fi Group, as a significant show of belief in the e&s business model that has been built over the past 60 years and a testament to customer and supplier relationships.

“This creates a significant partnership that has the ability to deliver growth and opportunities for all of our team members and suppliers, as well as introducing the e&s way to new customers,” Rob Sinclair said.

“While the economy has had its headwinds, there’s always resilient sectors in the market that can be nurtured and grown. Sectors such as the hospitality industry continue to do it very tough, but in the appliance industry, there are real rewards for hard work. It’s a matter of maintaining relationships with loyal industry partners to be there through the good and the bad as you never know when fortunes turn.”

Sinclair shared a cautious outlook for 2025 as the chances of interest rate decreases and stabilisation of housing prices continue to bounce around.

“If this does occur during the next 12 months, we should start to see more sustainable and constant growth,” he said.

Being a full kitchen, bathroom and laundry appliance retailer with product expertise across all these sectors, e&s is uniquely positioned to leverage growth.

“Our bathroom business is still evolving, and we see this as a huge opportunity to disrupt what is a conservative and established local market and refocus the customer on the benefits of some of the world’s leading bathroom brands.”

Sinclair’s message to supplier partners was simple: “Suppliers who best engage with store teams regularly and consistently have the greatest opportunity. Investing in store training and store representation at the last three feet is crucial for sustainable growth.”

This is an excerpt from the Leaders Forum feature that appeared in Appliance Retailer.