J&R Becomes 16th PRO Group Member

By Alan Wolf On Jan 10 2012 - 10:16pm

NEW YORK — J&R Music & Computer World has joined the Progressive Retailers Organization (PRO Group).

The iconic New York City consumer electronics dealer, founded 40 years ago by Joe and Rachelle Friedman, became the 16th member of the specialty A/V buying group last month.

 

 

Retailing Briefs

By TWICE Staff On Jan 10 2012 - 6:01am

Almo Head Chaiken To Chair Charity Dinner

CEA Delivers Annual 'Trends To Watch' Report

By Lisa Johnston On Jan 23 2012 - 6:01am

LAS VEGAS — Commenting on the absolutely-packed-tothe- gills room, Shawn DuBravac, Consumer Electronics Association chief economist, welcomed everyone “to the first Occupy CES Meeting. I hope you brought your tents.”

Kicking off the 2012 International CES with the longstanding “State of the Consumer Tech Industry and 2012 CES Trends to Watch” presentation, DuBravac highlighted some of the things themes that are going to be found at the show.

Global CE Sales Near $1 Trillion

By John Laposky On Jan 23 2012 - 6:01am

LAS VEGAS — Global retail sales of consumer electronics fell just short of $1 trillion in 2011, according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), and are predicted to hit $1.04 trillion in 2012.

Sales of $983 billion in 2011 were mostly driven by large gains in the still developing markets of India and China, said CEA industry analysis director Steve Koenig, and worldwide year-toyear sales growth is expected to slow to 5 percent in 2012, down from 8 percent in 2011.

ProSource Pushes For Profitability At Annual CES Soiree

By Alan Wolf On Jan 23 2012 - 6:01am

LAS VEGAS – ProSource, the specialty A/V arm of the BrandSource buying group, held its annual International CES bash at Bally’s on the eve of the show.

The dealer organization, comprised of the Progressive Retailers Organization (PRO Group) and Home Entertainment Source (HES), used the occasion to announce PRO’s new partnership with eBay (see TWICE, Jan. 10), and renewed its call for margin relief.

Nov. Sales Up 6.4% For CE/Majap Dealers

By Alan Wolf On Dec 19 2011 - 6:01am

WASHINGTON – November sales spiked 6.4 percent for CE and major appliance retailers year over year as promotions surrounding Black Friday weekend helped draw record crowds and revenue.

According to the latest monthly retail tallies from the U.S. Commerce Department, CE and majap dealers generated $8.8 billion in sell-through last month, adjusted for seasonal variations and holiday and trading day differences but not for price changes.

The November take also represented a 2.1 percent rise from October.

Post-Black Friday Sales Fall 22.5% In Stores

By Alan Wolf On Dec 19 2011 - 6:01am

CHICAGO – Brick-and-mortar retail sales predictably tumbled the week after Black Friday.

According to ShopperTrak, a market research firm that monitors retail foot traffic, sales fell 22.5 percent for the week ending Dec. 3, compared with the prior seven days ending on Black Friday.

Sales were essentially flat year over year, edging up just 0.2 percent.

That Was The Year That Was: A Retail Retrospective

By Alan Wolf On Dec 19 2011 - 6:01am

NEW YORK – It was a year of tragedy and loss for retail, but it was also one of hope.

Japan and Thailand are still recovering from the ravages of storm waters that killed tens of thousands and delivered a one-two punch to the digital imaging business.

On these shores, the incessant economic malaise claimed victims of another sort: CE and appliance chains including Ultimate Electronics, Sixth Avenue Electronics, Linder’s Furniture and Appliance Direct, which all shut their doors for good.

Last-Minute Surge Helps Holiday Selling Season

By Alan Wolf On Jan 10 2012 - 6:01am

NEW YORK — Customers came back from their Black Friday hiatus en mass in the days before and after Christmas.

The last-minute surge, aided by an extra Saturday before Christmas, topped off an otherwise disappointing holiday season for CE dealers that was marked by steep promotions, flat to lower revenue, and battered gross margins.

eBay Looks To Buoy Independents With New CE Strategy

By Alan Wolf On Jan 10 2012 - 9:29pm

SAN JOSE, CALIF. — eBay is coming to International CES with a new electronics team and a fresh market strategy designed to bolster the independent dealer channel.

The plan, which was first deployed successfully for the company’s automotive and fashion stores, is intended to give specialty CE dealers a leg up in etail by leveraging the services and selling platform of the world’s largest e-commerce company.