News in the Channel - issue #42

LAPTOP CHARGERS

and the devices connected to it. “Convenience is also important. People want compact, lightweight chargers they can easily carry with them, while multi- port chargers make it easy to power several devices from a single socket. Fast charging has also become something consumers expect, helping them spend less time plugged in and more time using their devices. “The move to USB-C is changing the way people buy chargers too. Instead of having a drawer full of different chargers, more consumers are looking for one high- quality charger that can power everything from their smartphone and tablet to their laptop and accessories. Products that support higher power outputs and intelligently share power between devices are becoming increasingly popular.” Darren Seward adds that buyers want the right wattage for their machine — typically 65W for ultrabooks, 100W for performance laptops — plus GaN technology for a smaller, cooler, more portable unit. “Increasingly they expect multi-port chargers that run a laptop, phone and earbuds from a single plug, and they want the reassurance of genuine safety certification,” he says. “The expectation is one trusted charger across the whole device ecosystem.” Darren Calow adds that customers aren’t looking for ‘a’ charger, they’re looking for a better one. “They expect USB-C, fast charging, and something that can realistically power more than just their laptop, a phone, tablet or headphones too. Compact size matters as much as wattage; nobody wants to go back to a brick. And they expect it to be properly compatible and certified for their machine, not a generic third-party guess.” Options For resellers – and consumers – there are a wide range of USB-C charging solutions available. Darren Seward notes that the market is mature and well-

Contributors

based on factors like power output, the number of ports or whether they need something that's ideal for travel. “For resellers, charging is no longer just an accessory sale. It's an opportunity to increase basket size, improve margins and build trust with customers. Premium chargers, high-performance cables, travel adapters and multi-device charging solutions all offer valuable add-on sales, while giving retailers the chance to share their expertise.” Darren Seward, country manager UK&A accessories at UGREEN, adds chargers represent a significant — and, crucially, recurring – opportunity. “With laptops now sold unbundled across the EU and, in practice, much of the UK as manufacturers standardise their ranges, every machine leaving the shelf without a charger becomes an incremental attach sale,” he says. “That's a structural shift, not a one- off. Chargers are also lost, shared and upgraded, so the category delivers repeat revenue at healthy margins and very low return rates — an unusually attractive velocity-and-margin profile for a peripheral.” What customers expect Customers have certain expectations for what they want in a charger, which resellers must be mindful of. “First and foremost, customers want a charger that's safe, reliable and works with all of their devices,” says Jonathan. “As charging speeds increase, good safety features become even more important to protect the charger

Darren Calow

acer.com

Jonathan Colbourne

vertbatim.com

Darren Seward

uk.green.com

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