NPD's Edwards Outlines CE's Growth Categories
By Steve Smith -- TWICE, 9/16/2002
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.— Tom Edwards, consumer electronics expert for NPDTechworld, spoke at the recent MARTA Cooperative of America buying group meeting, outlining the performance of key CE and major appliance categories through June 2002.
As part of his presentation Edwards also outlined opportunities for retailers in consumer electronics (TWICE, September 2, 2002, p. 1). Among those categories that have performed well during the first half of 2002 are color TV, DVD, home theater in a box and imaging.
Edwards called DVD "the driver for home theater and digital TV" and said that from its introduction in February 1997 through June 2002, with 35 million units sold, "DVD has had the fastest growth rate in the history of consumer electronics." He added that DVD ownership saturation in the United States. is now over 30 percent.
Edwards cites several profitable CE categories and sub-categories that retailers should take advantage of this year. In what he calls "home theater video," big screen TV, projection TV, widescreen, HDTV monitors, LCD and PDP panels are important. Other growth categories include digital cameras and camcorders, broadband products, custom installation and furniture.
In "home theater audio," home theater in a box packages and component systems will be key. Edwards also cites home networking as a growth category, specifically audio/video program distribution, communication and security.For more on Edwards' report see CEDIA By The Numbers on pgs. 28 and 30.
| 2001 | YTD '02 | |
| Major Appliances: | -4.4% | +4.2% |
| Video: | +2.8% | +6.9% |
| Home & Portable Audio: | -10.7% | -8.1% |
| 12-Volt Mobile: | -6.5% | +7.8% |
| Telecommunications: | -5.9% | -9.0% |
| Imaging | +2.3% | +27.4% |
| Source: NPDTechworld |
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| 2001 | YTD '02 | |
| Electric Ranges: | +1.9% | -0.4% |
| Gas Ranges: | -7.7% | +6.1% |
| Ovens: | -9.0% | -20.5% |
| Range Hoods: | +25.0% | -46.4% |
| Total Cooking: | +0.6% | -4.9% |
| Microwaves: | -23.4% | -2.7% |
| Washers: | -1.8% | +5.5% |
| Dryers: | -1.4% | +6.0% |
| Total Laundry: | -1.7% | +5.7% |
| Refrigerators: | -5.3% | +2.3% |
| Freezers: | +3.3% | +6.2% |
| Dishwashers: | +3.1% | +4.3% |
| Air Conditioners: | +2.8% | +40.0% |
| Source: NPDHouseworld |
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