Viewpoint
TWICE Editor-in-Chief Steve Smith discusses the latest headlines that ae affecting the consumer electronics industry.
Apple iTV Musings Worth Mentioning
Two items about the much-awaited-but-never-seen Apple iTV appeared this week. And while I am usually loathe to pass along another’s reporting, they do at least provide food for thought if nothing else. The first is from The Verge and deals with a survey from Best Buy, which is reportedly no longer available on the retailer’s site, asking its customers of an interest in an Apple 42-in ...... Read More
Comments (1)Allure Of CE Helps CES Set Records
A few years ago, as this industry and its main event, International CES, were both changing, I suggested in a column that producer/owner the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) might eventually change the name to the “Consumer Technology Show.” Well, thanks to all the innovative products the CE industry has introduced in the past 20 or so years and the work of CEA to open the tent ...... Read More
Comments (0)‘Nobody Comes Here Anymore. It’s Too Crowded’ – Part 2
As you may have read, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), owner and producer of International CES reports that the 2012 edition, held last week in Las Vegas, was the largest in its 44-year history. The CEA reported an initial attendance figure of 153,000, which will be verified by an independent audit available this spring. Last year’s audited attendance was 149,529. The show also r ...... Read More
Comments (2)'Nobody Comes Here Anymore. It's Too Crowded'
The words above are attributed to the great philosopher, athlete and Italian-American icon Yogi Berra about his experience working at a local, popular restaurant in his native St. Louis neighborhood. The same can be said about International CES. There have been a few shots taken at CES in recent days in the media. So some of you may take the following with a grain of salt, probably several. (TWICE ...... Read More
Comments (0)Make A New Year's Resolution
Predictions have been that consumer electronics sales will be up this holiday season, as high as 6 percent. So why are so few people in the industry smiling? It’s all about profitability, or more accurately, the lack of it. Retailers and manufacturers have had to promote more heavily than ever this season to get consumers to buy their products. While everyone loves CE, consumers have been t ...... Read More
Comments (0)A Black Friday Snapshot From Queens, N.Y.
After my wife Marion and I hosted 17 of our hungry relatives for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, I got up, slightly earlier than usual, to visit two stores in nearby Queens, N.Y., to at least get a feel for what business was like on this year’s Black Friday. $79 Samsung Blu-ray player at P.C. Richard & Son parking lot in Astoria, Queens. There were lines all over Best Buy ...... Read More
Comments (1)CES Looming With New Dates, Events
Black Friday has come and gone, but the rest of the holiday sales season remains the focus of the CE industry. But, as always, International CES is looming in the near future. Exhibitors and buyers are also planning their strategies and itineraries now for the big show to be held in Las Vegas during January. As always, each International CES is different, but this year there are a few differences ...... Read More
Comments (0)Black Friday Is Still Just Friday At P.C. Richard
With all the talk about Thanksgiving store openings to get a jump on Black Friday, one major electronics/appliance chain has, as expected, not changed its strategy: P.C. Richard & Son. Black Friday for P.C. Richard & Son will be … Black Friday. It will remain closed on Thanksgiving and open on Friday, according to its now-annual full-page ads in the New York Daily News and Newsday i ...... Read More
Comments (3)Stuff Turkeys, Not Shopping Bags On Thanksgiving: Survey
Most people would prefer that these companies let their employees spend the day stuffing turkeys instead of shopping bags, according to a survey by ConsumerSearch.com. So this survey indicates consumers strongly agree with the sentiments in a blog I wrote last week, “Black Thanksgiving,” that being open on the holiday is a lousy idea. In a survey released today by ConsumerSearch.com ...... Read More
Comments (2)‘Black Thanksgiving’ Is A Lousy Idea
“Midnight is the new 5 a.m.,” said Consumer Electronics Association’s Shawn DuBravac, chief economist and research director, and Steve Koenig, industry analysis director, during their 2012 holiday season presentation at the International CES Press Preview in New York on Tuesday, referring to the new Black Friday trend at retail. Actually, if they waited a day or two, they coul ...... Read More
Comments (5)Bruce Alpert, 1952-2011
We received sad news late Friday that Bruce Alpert, one of the original members of the TWICE staff back in 1986, passed away suddenly in his home here in Manhattan. Bruce, who eventually became associate publisher of TWICE, left the publication a few years ago due to health issues. He is survived by his mother, Selma Alpert, and his sister, Karen Singer. There is no word yet on funeral arrangement ...... Read More
Comments (13)Another 'A Cup Of Joe'… Clayton That Is
Stressa, Italy, site of the CEA CEO Summit last week, is a long way from Joe Clayton’s home state of Kentucky, but he felt pretty comfortable in a special on-on-one interview with CEA’s Gary Shapiro at the conference billed as “Have a Cup of Joe.” We covered Clayton’s comments on becoming the CEO of Dish Network in May and his plans for the company last week. The ...... Read More
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