The list was compiled by RTO Magazine editors with the help of four leading rental-purchase industry suppliers: SED International, O’Rourke Sales Company, D & H Distributing, and BDI Laguna.

RTO Magazine, the most widely distributed print publication for the rental-purchase trade, in conjunction with RTO Online (www.rtoonline.com), the leading source of news and information for the rent to own industry, has released its 1st Annual “What’s Hot in Rent to Own Consumer Electronics” list, to be published in its March 2007 issue mailing to subscribers now. Download PDF E-book version or See text list below.

“Consumer electronics are the backbone of the rental industry. The typical rental consumer is technology-driven and closely mimics the buying behavior of 'early adopters',” said Roy Griffaw, founder and president of RTO Online Inc. “We asked leading electronics distributors to predict, based on early sales data, the products that will most impact the rental industry in 2007."

The list was compiled by RTO Magazine editors with the help of four leading rental-purchase industry suppliers: SED International, O’Rourke Sales Company, D & H Distributing, and BDI Laguna.

Nearly half of the products RTO Magazine features are flat panel television sets, underscoring the importance of this category as rental customers switch to the latest HD technology. The second-largest category profiled includes new computer configurations together with the latest small form CPUs and notebook computers. Editors took special note of the Toshiba Satellite Notebook with enhanced graphics capabilities for a more realistic gaming experience.

Rounding out the “Hot Electronics” list for 2007 are portable electronic accessories including the latest in gaming, audio and GPS technologies.

Manufacturers and suppliers in all categories are increasingly recognizing the vast market potential of the rent to own segment. "Electronics are the primary traffic generator for the $6 billion rent to own industry,” said Griffaw. "RTO Magazine will continue its leadership in the sector as the most effective method of introducing new products and services to rent to own companies throughout North America."

Other manufacturers with products on the “Hot Electronics” list include Acer, Apple, Canon, Chimei, Compaq, Dell, Dual Corporation, eMachines, Garmin, Go Video, Hewlett Packard, Lenovo, Magellan, Microsoft, Nintendo, Norcent, Olevia, Panasonic, Philips, Sharp, Tom Tom, and Westinghouse.

The complete list of “What’s Hot in Rent to Own Consumer Electronics” is available at www.rtoonline.com.

The May issue of RTO Magazine will focus on the increasingly competitive landscape within the rent to own industry and the trend toward franchising as a means for independent owners to compete.

Contact: Roy Griffaw
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