12-Volt Biz Not Standing Still

Today TWICE posted its annual Top 25 Car Electronics Retailers Report, and it is bound to be surprising to traditional retailers in the category.

 The Top 25 had a sales gain of 12.1 percent during calendar year 2007.

How can that be when the industry’s core category, car stereo, has been suffering in recent years?

Well, statistics can sometimes be tricky. The answer? Portable GPS. That category took off last year, providing great opportunities for non-traditional retailers in the category, such as the Home Shopping Club (a 353 percent sales gain) and TigerDirect (272 percent gain), among others. But problems for aftermarket car stereo and entertainment continue as systems for new cars become more competitive.

The industry isn’t taking this lying down. Remember that the 12-Volt Summit will be held July 16-17, in Dallas; it is being run by Sabatino Day Williamson Group and will have a host of the largest suppliers in the car electronics business.

Visit www.12voltsummit.com if you want more info on this unique event.