Bigger, broader and even better – that’s what visitors to this year’s IFA electronics and appliances show can expect, say the show’s organisers.
IFA – which runs 2-7 September in Berlin – is already fully booked, and the show will have two new temporary halls to provide additional exhibition space. There are plans to build a new permanent hall for 2014. “IFA is the leading trade fair for consumer electronics and home appliances; it’s the festival of global brands,” said Rainer Hecker, chairman of the supervisory board, gfu, which organises IFA. Rainer was speaking at the IFA Global Press Event in Spain, and he added that smart TV, 3D, HD and tablet devices are some of the major themes at this year’s IFA.
Jürgen Boyny, GfK’s global director, consumer electronics, said that, “Western Europe is the biggest consumer electronics market,” and he added that of the 206 million LCD TVs expected to be sold worldwide in 2011, one third of sales will be in Europe. Paul Gray, DisplaySearch’s director, TV Electronics and Europe TV Research, noted that while the typical TV replacement cycle in Europe was seven-to-eight years, it was closer to five and half years in the UK, “It could be that UK consumers are replacing LCD sets early,” he said. Samsung is pushing smart TV and 3DTV, and Michael Zöller, Samsung’s European marketing director TV/AV, revealed that the company is launching the Explore 3D service in the UK and other European countries. This will enable owners of Samsung 3D Smart TVs to watch free 3D movies and clips. The company is also launching a 3D entertainment pack that will include two pairs of Bluetooth 3D glasses for around £60.
