CEA, Retail Groups Push Web Tax Reform In D.C.

By Steve Smith On May 8 2012 - 4:01am

WASHINGTON – The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) — along with the International Council of Shopping Centers and Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) — made their case to the media for Internet tax reform just prior to CEA’s Digital Patriots’ dinner at a media briefing, here.

CEA’s president/CEO Gary Shapiro and Randy Fry, chairman of CEA as well as president of Fry’s Electronics, delivered the same pitch to Congress yesterday along with many members of CEA’s board.

 

 

Siras: Moms Want Digital Frames, Imaging Gifts On Mother's Day

By TWICE Staff On May 8 2012 - 4:01am

REDMOND, WASH. — Mother’s Day isn’t only good to mothers since it turns out to also be very good for those who sell digital picture frames, among other imaging- related devices.

According to Siras, provider of product registration, return validation and lifecycle tracking services, last year saw sales soar to more than 11 times normal levels during the Mother’s Day weekend, May 6-8, 2011.

Stevenson's TraQline: Consumers Still Want Printed Photos

By TWICE Staff On May 8 2012 - 4:01am

LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Stevenson Company, a leading provider of consumer data and market research, released the findings of its TraQline Photo Behavior report, a monthly survey of tens of thousands of consumers that measures their usage of photo products and services such as digital/film photography, printing, sharing and other behaviors.

Car Buying Groups Tuning Up Programs

By Lisa Johnston On May 8 2012 - 4:01am

NEW YORK — While all industries were hit hard by the recession, the car electronics sector took a special hit and some of its retailers are still struggling to climb out of that hole. The category’s buying groups, which count In Car Experts (ICE) and the Mobile Electronics Specialists of America (MESA) among its ranks, have spent the year trying to bolster the marketing and promotion efforts of its members.

Nationwide Acquires Canadian Group From Sears

By Alan Wolf On May 8 2012 - 4:01am

WINSTON-SALEM N.C. — The Nationwide Marketing Group has purchased Cantrex, a $2 billion Canadian buying organization, from Sears Canada.

No purchase price was disclosed.

Cantrex is comprised of more than 1,200 independent dealers specializing in furniture, major appliances, bedding, CE, photography, floor coverings and home fashions.

The acquistion excludes Corbeil Electrique, Cantrex’s 30-store franchised appliance chain.

RadioShack Pursuing Three-Point Plan For Profitable Growth

By Alan Wolf On May 8 2012 - 4:01am

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – RadioShack is pursuing a three-pronged merchandising, marketing and expansion strategy to put the national CE chain back on a profitable growth track.

President/CEO Jim Gooch and CFO Dorvin Lively detailed the plan to investors last month after announcing an $8 million first-quarter loss.

The roadmap includes a renewed focus on the mobile and accessories categories, a new marketing campaign to highlight the chain’s broad wireless assortment, and new ventures and partnerships both domestically and abroad.

Wyden, Chaffetz, Rubenstein Receive CEA Digital Patriots Awards

By Steve Smith On May 8 2012 - 4:01am

WASHINGTON – The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) held its 2012 Digital Patriots Dinner and honored Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and David Rubenstein, managing director, Carlyle Group.

The dinner, held at the Newseum on April 24, here, drew a mix of CE industry leaders, members of Congress, policy experts and media to honor three individuals who, in the words of Gary Shapiro, CEA president/ CEO, “hold dear American innovation and who fight for it each day.”

PRO Gives Details Plans, Opportunities

By Steve Smith On May 21 2012 - 4:01am

DANA POINT, CALIF. – Progressive Retailers Organization (PRO Group) executives further detailed the 2012 strategies outlined in the “State of the Industry” presentation during briefing with TWICE.

Dave Workman, president/COO of PRO Group, and George Manlove, Vann’s president/CEO and chairman of PRO, were joined by PRO board member and president of ListenUp Walt Stinson in discussing its ProSource partnership, eBay plans, channel management and the current CE market for the group in the coming year.

PRO Calls For Cooperation With Vendors

By Steve Smith On May 21 2012 - 4:01am

DANA POINT, CALIF. – The Progressive Retailers Organization (PRO Group) called on cooperation with its name-brand suppliers to work on the unprecedented challenges facing the CE industry at a special “State of the Industry” presentation during the opening of its annual spring meeting, here.

PRO Draws Over 50 Vendors To Spring Meeting

By TWICE Staff On May 21 2012 - 4:01am

DANA POINT, CALIF. – The Progressive Retailers Organization (PRO Group), members of the Brand- Source and more than 50 top suppliers converged upon The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, here, for the buying group’s 2012 Spring Meeting. The retailers met with their vendors in one-on-one meetings May 9-11 not only to book orders on new products but also to discuss new channel-management policies from some of the vendors. There was also still plenty of time for old-fashioned networking.