Haier leverages football partnerships, including the Champions League, to connect innovative technology with consumers

Refrigerators are among the most frequently used household appliances. As consumers increasingly focus on kitchen aesthetics, food preservation, and long-term value, aspects such as product design, premium everyday experience, and after-sales support become important when choosing a refrigerator.

At the new product presentation by Haier South Africa, held on October 29, 2026, the company unveiled the Horizon and Flexmo refrigerator series, offering local buyers more options that align with their lifestyle and housing.

The Horizon series combines sophisticated design with magnetic food preservation technology, large storage capacity, and premium features such as an ice maker. The Flexmo series features a depth of 594 mm, allowing it to fit perfectly into kitchen cabinets, contributing to a more harmonious kitchen appearance. Both lines meet consumer needs for practicality, convenient placement in living spaces, and daily comfort.

Beyond design, protecting the appliance throughout its service life is critical. According to Haier South Africa's official warranty policy, the refrigerators come with a general five-year product warranty, while corresponding inverter compressors are covered by a lifetime parts warranty only.

The inverter compressor is one of the key elements of a refrigerator. By combining a general product warranty with long-term servicing of relevant core components, Haier provides additional spare parts support for qualified products, thereby strengthening their long-term value and increasing consumer confidence in their purchase.

It is important to note that the lifetime warranty applies only to the compressor part and does not mean the entire refrigerator is covered for life; service charges apply. Eligibility and all other terms are governed by the official Haier South Africa warranty conditions.

According to retail sales data from Euromonitor International, Haier refrigerators ranked first in the global category of major home appliances for 18 consecutive years, from 2008 to 2025. Haier entered the South African home appliance market in February 2026 and continues to expand its local product offering, utilizing food preservation technologies and product innovations to enhance the consumer experience.

Concurrently, Haier leverages global football partnerships with Liverpool FC (LFC) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), as well as its September 2026 announcement of a global partnership with the UEFA Champions League, opening up additional opportunities for consumer engagement.

For Haier, global brand influence must translate into a product and service experience that consumers can recognize and appreciate. Through innovations in refrigerators, core component warranty support, and global brand involvement, Haier aims to strengthen South African consumers' trust in the quality and long-term value of its products.

Global home appliance manufacturer Haier plans to hold a new product presentation in Johannesburg on October 29th. The event will focus on showcasing its range of household appliances for the South African market and presenting the company's development plans in the country. The event will unite the global strength of the Haier brand, innovative technology, and international football partnerships, emphasizing the brand's focus on the needs of local households and consumers in South Africa.

Haier officially entered the South African home appliance market in February 2026. According to Euromonitor International data on retail volumes, Haier has held the top spot in sales volume for global major home appliances for 17 consecutive years (from 2009 to 2025). Since entering the market, the company has continuously expanded its product portfolio, strengthened retail relationships, and developed local service capabilities, aiming to provide local residents with a higher quality user experience through innovation and design based on everyday needs.

The presentation will feature refrigerators from the Horizon and Flexmo series, the MultiWash washing machine, and the QLED television. The Horizon series refrigerators are designed for daily food storage and domestic use, while the Flexmo series offers more options for various living spaces and lifestyles. The MultiWash washing machine uses a more flexible approach to sorting and washing different loads, and the QLED television enhances home viewing and entertainment with rich color.

Warranty coverage depends on the product type and motor according to the official Haier South Africa warranty policy. Refrigerators have a general five-year product warranty, including parts and labor. Inverter compressors are covered by a lifetime warranty on spare parts, while labor is charged separately, and non-inverter compressors have a five-year warranty. For washing machines, models with front and top loading and a DD motor provide a five-year comprehensive warranty, whereas models with inverter or conventional motors have a three-year comprehensive warranty. Motor part warranties are specific: they are lifetime for DD motors, 20 years for inverter motors, and five years for conventional motors; labor for warranty motor repairs is charged separately. Model compliance and all conditions are governed by the official Haier South Africa warranty policy.

Football serves as an important link between cultures, countries, and communities. Haier continues to leverage its global sports partnerships to find more engaging ways to interact with consumers. Global football partnerships with Liverpool FC (LFC) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) allow Haier to engage with international football fans and consumers. Through football culture, fan interaction, and brand experience, Haier seeks to create a more natural connection between global sporting events and the domestic scenarios served by its appliances.

In September 2026, Haier also announced its intention to become a Global Partner of the UEFA Champions League starting from the 2027/28 season. This partnership further expands Haier's opportunities to communicate with consumers worldwide through international football, reflecting the brand's continuous commitment to strengthening its global presence. In South Africa, Haier aims to connect the brand's global resources with the local consumer experience. Through product demonstrations, interactive events, and retail partnerships, the brand wants consumers to understand its global capabilities and appreciate the value of its goods and services.

The new product presentation on October 29th will gather media representatives, retail partners, and industry guests to showcase Haier's latest offerings, brand direction, and long-term commitment to the South African market. As local business develops, Haier will continue to respond to the daily needs of South African households and explore further connections between technology, products, and lifestyle.

Next week in London, the ceremony to award the most prestigious individual football prize—the Ballon d'Or—will take place. Several leading contenders for this award will be on the same stage on Tuesday when Paris Saint-Germain hosts Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.

At his home ground, Paris Saint-Germain has an impressive number of ten players among thirty nominees, including last year's winner Ousmane Dembélé. Facing them, Barcelona presents three of its candidates: Lamine Yamal, who was the silver medalist last year, Rodri, the 2024 winner, and defender Pau Cubarsí, a member of the Spanish national team that won the World Cup.

The competition for the Ballon d'Or adds an extra intensity to this match, which might otherwise lack it, given the relatively limited status of these two giants in the new format of the European elite club league.

The individual award, intended to recognize the best player of the season, does not hold the same significance everywhere, but it is an important topic of discussion in France, where it was created by France Football magazine in the 1950s, as well as in Spain, where Barcelona and Real Madrid actively promote their candidates.

In Madrid, Kylian Mbappé is the favorite, publicly asserting his position, as is Yamal, the 19-year-old winger who performed brilliantly in the season when Barcelona won La Liga and then the World Cup with the Spanish national team.

Recently, Yamal told the French sports publication L'Equipe: 'I think everyone who watches football understands my argument. I step onto the field, I have fun, and I play well.' He continued: 'Fortunately, I also won many titles with Barça, and besides that, I won the most important title of all—the World Cup.' Adding that 'besides that, I believe my playing style is my strongest argument and what sets me apart.'

The jury vote from journalists from the 100 best countries according to the FIFA ranking is based only on the past season, but Yamal has already started his campaign impressively, scoring a magnificent goal in Barcelona's 5-2 victory over Betis in La Liga.

Meanwhile, PSG, aiming to win a third consecutive Champions League title, is not afraid of him. PSG midfielder Vitinha insisted on Monday: 'I wouldn't say we are afraid. He is one of the best players in the world. What he does is incredible. He is exceptional. It is always interesting to play against such players, but not just against him. We are facing a great team, not just Lamine.'