Infoo Delighted to Join Charity Retail Association as a Corporate Member

Infoo is a UK company that stands at the forefront of product safety and inventory management, revolutionising how retailers, facilities managers, and landlords approach asset oversight. Through cutting-edge AI-driven technologies, Infoo offers a comprehensive suite of solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and compliance across various sectors.  Infoo supports retailers in partnership with Trading Standards in a bid to improve appliance safety and product recall awareness across the UK.

There are tens of millions of unsafe electrical appliances in circulation today, leading to weekly fires and safety events occurring. According to the Home Office, in the 12 months ending September 2023, there were 39,045 building fires in England. Every week in England alone, there are approximately 61 serious fires caused by faulty electrical goods. This demonstrates a clear need for people and businesses to have an easy and effective tool to check if their products have been deemed faulty and subsequently recalled by manufacturers.

The existing pathways for communicating recalls and product safety notices to individuals and organisations are inadequate and ineffective. Worryingly, in the UK, only 10%-20% of recalled appliances actually get recalled, therefore, the necessary repairs are not carried out, and dangerous products remain in circulation.

Charity retailers are increasingly exposed to financial and reputational damage as a result of the potential to unknowingly sell appliances which are the subject of a recall notice or safety advisory from the manufacturer. There are now ways to help minimise the risk, through utilising Infoo’s products.

At the heart of Infoo's offerings is its innovative product label analysis system, a tool which is currently being integrated by a major charity in the retail sector. This advanced technology empowers retailers to make informed decisions about the safety of the items they are selling, alerting them to product recalls and safety notices simply by taking a photograph of an appliance product label. Infoo has developed one of the most comprehensive recall datasets in the UK, bringing all publicly available information into one source for the first time.

This proactive approach significantly reduces risks associated with potentially hazardous items, ensuring customer safety and brand protection. It also improves revenues by increasing the scope of items which can be responsibly sold, enabling retailers to sell large white and electrical goods with greater assurances that they are compliant.

Infoo’s services can be integrated with current appliance safety operations and is a straightforward tool to use. It allows for the standardisation of safety checks across all employees/volunteers, resulting in a commonality of service.

Beyond retail, Infoo's expertise extends to asset management solutions tailored for estate managers overseeing diverse appliance portfolios. Whether in student accommodation, care homes, or the hospitality industry, Infoo's systems provide real-time insights and streamlined inventory control. This not only optimises operational efficiency but also ensures compliance with safety regulations, ultimately fostering peace of mind for both managers and end-users.

The Infoo team looks forward to meeting other members of the CRA and working together to advocate for the increased enhancement of product safety in the charity retail sector.