With the consumer electronics market posting negative growth results for the third year running, even hard-core CE retailers would be advised to look for alternative solutions to their traditional business.
George Digwa, the author of this month’s independent point of view column, suggests that in addition to demonstrating to customers the potential of Smart TV (with the help of high-speed wireless network), retailers should look at add-on audio products such as sound bars, home cinema separates and all-in-one home theatre packages.
There are also white goods to fall back on, but they often require a considerable investment in store redevelopment and staff training.
However there is another product sector to consider. Unfortunately many electrical indies treat it with a degree of disdain or at worst with open dislike. These are small domestic appliances (interestingly, small CE accessories don’t get the same treatment).
According to GfK, the sales value of SDA sector grew by almost 5% in 2011, while CE declined by 15.7%. Such trends as healthy eating, home cooking and baking (encouraged by countless cooking programmes), and penchant for a good cup of coffee at home are growing despite the recessionary pressures. And perhaps because of them, as people harassed in their daily struggles, feel that they deserve a bit of indulgence at home. There are many SKA brands whose offers (constantly updated – so they are even faster, quieter and better) deserve to grace our kitchens and your stores.
Not the first time I am trying to encourage you to invest in a quality coffee machine and to use it. Let the bewitching aroma of freshly made coffee lure customers to your store. You give them a cup and let them linger and examine other wonderful products which are in your store. They may linger for longer.
