Panasonic Outlet - Matching products for COOL8

Panasonic History

Panasonic was founded on 7 March 1918 by Konosuke Matsushita, then just 23 years old, in the Fukushima ward of Osaka, Japan. Matsushita had previously worked as a wiring assistant at the Osaka Electric Light Company, where he developed an idea for an improved duplex lamp socket. When his supervisor showed no interest in the design, Matsushita quit his job and set up Matsushita Electric Housewares Manufacturing Works in the ground floor rooms of a two-storey house, with a staff of three: himself, his wife Mumeno, and her teenage brother Toshio Iue. The company nearly went bankrupt in its early weeks until a large order arrived for electric fan insulator plates, which provided the financial footing to continue. By the end of 1918 the company had grown to 20 employees. Toshio Iue would later found Sanyo Electric as a subcontractor in 1947, initially making bicycle lamps in a plant lent to him by Matsushita.

Growth through the 1920s and 1930s was rapid. The National brand name was introduced on a line of battery-powered bicycle lamps in 1927 - a product that outlasted most rivals because Matsushita had invented a dry-cell battery that gave ten times the life of existing designs. The company was formally incorporated as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. in 1935. By the 1930s the product range spanned electric irons, radios, motors and light bulbs. The Panasonic brand name was first used in the United States in 1955, and the high-fidelity Technics audio brand debuted in Japan in 1965. Matsushita and JVC co-developed the VHS videotape format in the 1970s, which went on to win the format war against Sony's Betamax and dominate the home video market worldwide. Konosuke Matsushita - known in Japan as the "God of Management" - died on 27 April 1989 at the age of 94, having written 44 books on business philosophy.

In 2008 the company officially renamed itself Panasonic Corporation, consolidating all its global brands under a single name. Panasonic acquired rival Sanyo in 2009 and subsequently phased out the Sanyo brand. In 2022 the group reorganised as Panasonic Holdings Corporation. Today Panasonic is headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka, is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange as a constituent of the Nikkei 225 index, and operates across consumer electronics, automotive systems, industrial equipment and energy storage - most notably through its partnership with Tesla as a supplier of EV battery cells at the Gigafactory in Nevada. In 2007, Panasonic was named the most successful company in Germany, beating Google in second place and Porsche in third.

What does Panasonic sell?

Televisions

Panasonic produce a range of OLED and LED televisions under the VIERA brand. Their OLED televisions - particularly the LZ and MZ series - are consistently rated among the best picture quality TVs available and are popular with videophiles and home cinema enthusiasts for their accurate colour reproduction and deep blacks.

Cameras and Camcorders

Panasonic's LUMIX camera range spans compact cameras, mirrorless system cameras and professional video cameras. The LUMIX S series full-frame mirrorless cameras are widely used by professional photographers and filmmakers. Panasonic also produces consumer and professional camcorders including the HC series.

Home Appliances

Panasonic produce a broad range of home appliances for the UK market including microwave ovens, breadmakers, washing machines, tumble dryers, fridge freezers, dishwashers, air purifiers and vacuum cleaners. Their microwave ovens - including the Inverter technology range - are particularly well regarded for even, consistent cooking results.

Audio, Headphones and Personal Care

The Technics brand - relaunched in 2014 after a hiatus - covers premium hi-fi separates, turntables and wireless speakers. Panasonic also produce a range of headphones, earphones and Bluetooth speakers. Personal care products include electric shavers, hair dryers, epilators and beard trimmers.

Common Panasonic Questions

Where is Panasonic from?

Panasonic is a Japanese company, founded in Osaka in 1918. It is headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The company was known as Matsushita Electric for most of its history and renamed itself Panasonic Corporation in 2008, consolidating all its global brand names under a single identity.

What is the difference between Panasonic and Technics?

Technics is a premium hi-fi brand owned by Panasonic. It was originally launched in 1965 for high-fidelity audio equipment and became particularly famous for its SL-1200 turntable, widely adopted by DJs worldwide for its precision and durability. Technics was discontinued in 2010 and relaunched in 2014 as a premium audio brand focused on high-end amplifiers, speakers, turntables and wireless systems. All Technics products are designed and engineered by Panasonic.

Are Panasonic OLED TVs good?

Yes - Panasonic OLED TVs are consistently rated among the best available for picture quality, particularly for accurate colour reproduction and natural-looking images. The VIERA OLED range uses panels from LG Display but Panasonic applies its own extensive picture processing, developed in collaboration with professional broadcast and cinema partners. They are a popular choice for home cinema enthusiasts and anyone who prioritises picture accuracy.

Does Panasonic offer NHS discounts?

Panasonic do not currently advertise a dedicated NHS discount programme. Their outlet section - covering ex-display, refurbished and end-of-line products - provides the best year-round opportunity for savings on Panasonic TVs, cameras and appliances, alongside the Black Friday promotional period each November.

When is the Panasonic Black Friday sale?

Panasonic participate in Black Friday each November with discounts across their TV, camera, appliance and personal care ranges. VIERA OLED and LED televisions and LUMIX cameras are typically among the most sought-after discounted products. The Panasonic outlet section carries ex-display, refurbished and clearance stock at reduced prices year-round.

Who owns Panasonic?

Panasonic Holdings Corporation is a publicly listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the Nikkei 225 index. It was founded by Konosuke Matsushita in 1918 and remained under the influence of the Matsushita family for many decades. It is no longer family-controlled and operates as a major multinational corporation with shareholders worldwide.

Does Panasonic still make plasma TVs?

No - Panasonic ceased plasma TV production in 2013, having been one of the world's largest plasma TV manufacturers. The company subsequently focused on OLED and LCD television technology. Their VIERA OLED range is considered the spiritual successor to their plasma sets in terms of picture quality commitment, and Panasonic's OLED TVs are widely regarded as among the most accurate and natural-looking on the market.

Black Friday History

Panasonic participate in Black Friday each November with discounts across their consumer electronics range. VIERA OLED televisions, LUMIX cameras and home appliances including microwave ovens, washing machines and air purifiers tend to be the most heavily featured categories. The Panasonic outlet section also carries discounted ex-display and end-of-line stock year-round, making it worth checking outside of sale periods for savings on premium Panasonic products.

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What to typically expect from Panasonic

• VIERA OLED and LED televisions - consistently top-rated for picture accuracy
• LUMIX mirrorless cameras used by professionals and enthusiasts
• Technics premium hi-fi brand - amplifiers, turntables, speakers
• Inverter microwave technology for even cooking results
• Outlet section carries ex-display, refurbished and end-of-line stock
• Tokyo Stock Exchange listed - Nikkei 225 constituent