Alongside growing competition and heavy margin pressure, slow market growth is increasing the challenge for specialists. The electricals market managed to maintain 2003 growth levels in 2004 - but this represents weaker growth than at any other time in the past decade. And major household appliances are set to experience a torrid 2005. While much of the electricals sector is driven by new technology, this is far less the case with larger white goods such as fridges and washing machines. Many new purchases of these lines are made on moving house. As a result the slowdown in housing transactions is having a significant impact on the fortunes of the sub sector.
