NEW YORK –
Distributors are braced for a competitive and promotional
holiday selling season, with tablets getting much of the attention.
While economic headwinds have dampened consumer confidence
considerably in the second half, executives contacted in the past couple
of weeks via email for this TWICE “virtual roundtable” indicated
that promotions on flat-screen TVs, demand for fashion-oriented headphones, and the aforementioned tablets
— including the non-iPad variety — should boost sales and traffic.
Most distributors are predicting single-digit sales growth in the quarter, noting that Q4 will mirror the sales
conditions from throughout the year: choppy with a boost from promotions.
Distributors — and definitely their retailer partners — are hoping for accessory sales with any type of hardware
purchase to increase margins as well as dollars, whether it is for a tablet or smartphone, or a home
entertainment system that might be installed.
