Watch electronics trends to drive more business - Furniture Today

Jerry Epperson An insider’s viewThe Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is always exciting. This year there were more than 100 new tablet computers introduced to ride on the success of Apple's iPad, a new wave of "sound bars" to produce improved levels of sound clarity and realism for your videos, and lots of new games that are not just for entertainment anymore. Games are now out that teach, encourage exercise, help your memory, and can impact all stages of your life.

Being over 60, I do not understand many of the new gadgets. Some things seem contradictory. For example, our televisions are getting larger but there is excitement about watching television, movies and video on our phones, which are getting smaller. Who wants to watch a movie on a screen about the size of a deck of cards?
New 3-D televisions were supposed to be hot. But they were a dud, probably because there is so little content available currently.

For 2011, many new HDTVs will offer full Internet access, and this same technology is available using adaptive equipment from Logitech and others. There is much being written about Google TV, Apple TV, Roku and others that offer the same full Web and cable access on your HDTV, PlayStation, smartphone, laptop, iPad, netbook, Macbook, Blackberry, MP3 player, iPod or desktop computer. I am waiting for streaming video on my tie or belt buckle, and eventually on the inside of my eyelids.

But these trends have been game savers over the lengthy recession as consumers went from buying 7.7 million HDTVs in 2005 to 40.1 million in 2010. Of course, having the average Plasma/LCD price drop from $2,000+ to under $700 helped. To go with these new televisions, consumers also bought lots of new entertainment cabinets and motion upholstery.

New features like 3-D and Web access are encouraging consumers to upgrade to new sets, relegating the 2005- 2008 models to the bedroom or elsewhere. Sales of the most popular sets in 2010, measuring 40 inches to 49 inches, are expected to grow 15.3% in 2011, and the 50- inch or larger sets will grow 14.5%.

One manufacturer is expecting to offer an 82-inch HDTV by year's end that will retail for under $3,000.

These larger sets with new features are yet another gift to our industry as they will often require new cabinetry. And as these new HDTVs move into the bedrooms, we will likely sell more electric beds, too.

Selling home furnishings is a challenge, but be glad you are not selling videotape, camera film, paper maps, fax machines or encyclopedias door-to-door.

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