"Some retailers are also reporting shortages in supplies of some large screen TVs, particularly rear projection "flat screen" plasma and LCD (liquid crystal display) sets"
This Week In Consumer Electronics

Consumer electronics sales are up, but retailers' hopes for a less promotional holiday selling season may be dashed, according to TWICE (This Week in Consumer Electronics), the leading consumer electronics publication.

Retail sales of consumer electronics were up 4.8 percent year-over-year to $7.2 billion on "Black Friday," the day after Thanksgiving and one of the busiest shopping days of the year, according to ShopperTrak, a leading retail research company, and reported in TWICE's December 8 issue. Sales of consumer electronics are considered one of the bellwethers for the entire Christmas retailing season.

Consumers nationwide lined up before dawn to shop, but stuck with bargains, the news tabloid found. Shoppers were after $20 DVD players, $130 camcorders, $500 computer notebooks, and $1000 rear projection HDTVs. Many holiday shoppers stayed in and ordered online. E-commerce sales through Nov. 28 reach $5.5 billion, a 22 percent gain over the prior-year period, according to BizRate.com figures reported in TWICE.

"Consumer electronics retailers are still using promotional pricing to drive consumers into their stores," said Stephen F. Smith, TWICE Editor-in-Chief. "Retail sales for consumer electronics in 2003 will be strong, but some retailers seem to think they will have to discount to get a piece of it."

Some retailers are also reporting shortages in supplies of some large screen TVs, particularly rear projection "flat screen" plasma and LCD (liquid crystal display) sets.

"Shortages may be the one fly-in-the ointment," Smith said. "Consumer electronics manufacturers have been too cautious in their planning and may cause retailers to get caught short. Certain products could be scarce, so Christmas shoppers need to purchase early."

Retailers such as Wal-Mart, Rex Stores, P.C. Richard & Son, Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Ultimate Electronics, and Sears reported increased traffic and sales to TWICE.

TWICE is considered by many to be the bible of the consumer electronics business. It is published by Reed Business Information.

www.reedbusiness.com