Sales of LCD and plasma TVs showed a 53 per cent year-on-year increase in the US for the first quarter of 2008, with more than 7.5 million units sold.
This represents a 7 per cent increase over industry projections for the period.
While analysts in Japan have attributed a 35 per cent increase in flat-panel TV sales during the first half of June to the upcoming Beijing Olympics, industry executives in the US are being more cagey.
But what those attending the DisplaySearch TV Supply Chain Conference in San Diego did agree on was that despite the state of the US economy, the North America TV market remains robust – so far.
Paul Gagnon director of North American TV research at DisplaySearch, said the data also highlighted consumer preference for smaller LCD and plasma TVs.
“Smaller TV sizes are doing better than larger sizes, while the larger sizes seem to be under pressure from weakened consumer spending,” he said.
“For example, global shipments of 32” TVs exceeded our forecasts by 10 per cent, while all screen size categories above 40” fell short of expectations by 3 per cent or more.”
The summer holiday season is expected to present a major challenge for US retailers if the present economic trend continues, according to a majority of conference attendees.
That could translate into better deals for consumers, and those deals could remain even if the economy recovers over the next few years because panel manufacturers are adding more TV assembly lines.
Tag: television
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No mention of Olympic factor as US market for flat-panel HDTVs remains strong despite economic down-turn
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Hispanics in the US more likely to buy HDTV in next 12 months than non-Hispanics
Twenty-eight per cent of Hispanics questioned in a US survey say they will buy a large-screen television or HDTV in the next 12 months.
They also say that TV advertising is the medium that mostly influenced their decision, according to research by Vertis Communications.
This compares to just 23 per cent of non-Hispanics planning to purchase a large-screen or HDTV in the next 12 months.
The study – Customer Focus® OPINIONES – also showed that Hispanics found inserts and circulars to be the second most influential form of advertising.
Internet marketing was the third-most selected medium.
Scott Marden, director of marketing research for Vertis Communications, said the data proved that multi-channel campaigns were marketers’ best options for swaying Hispanic consumers.
“Hispanics are increasingly becoming more reliant on the Internet and other forms of technologically advanced marketing—including cell phone and e-mail campaigns—to gather information on products prior to making buying decisions,” he said.
“While this portends a greater focus on online media, it is crucial for marketers to consider a multi-channel effort when motivating Hispanic consumers to make purchase decisions.
“Television and direct mail should be cornerstones, along with Web advertising, of any multicultural marketing plan.”