Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM MAY 2014 54 G reetings brave CE retailing souls. I would like to take a very brief look back at 2013 along with a forecast for 2014. The TV industry remained relatively flat for the second straight year in 2013. For most of us, "flat is the new normal" and I'm not just talking about the shape of the sets we are selling, because that is going to change too. This business has found a consistent business cycle, maturing to a single digit comparative business year over year. Although slow and steady growth is not always what we are looking for in electronics, the good news is that it has also brought some stability to margins through pervasive UPP programing. As we dive into a period with added stability, why don't we shake it up a little with UHD (Ultra High Definition) and curved TVs. I (and the industry) have been talking about UHD televisions for over a year now, catching the first glimpses of these mind- boggling images this past summer. The good news is the category will explode this year as several manufacturers release multiple lines and models as prices drop to heavy adoption price points. Look for UHD in expanded sizes and brands to compete at every price point and drive customers into your stores, looking for the latest and greatest. This past CES was all about UHD and 2014 will be the year of UHD for all of us. If this is the year of UHD, what is all the talk about curved UHD televisions? As you know, we electronics people are always working on what's next (even if what's next is just here). Curved TVs will serve as the next product wave of innovation, creeping into the market in 2014 in eye-popping sizes from 80" to 105". Why a curved screen? While you attempt to wrap your brain around the 4 million pixels of Ultra HD in these models, I'll put it simply. A curved screen provides a wider field of view (FOV) than its flat-screen counterpart. Other key advantages of an elongated curved screen include improved brightness uniformity across the screen. The result is an immersive viewing experience, thanks to the wraparound effect and familiar ultra-wide aspect ratio of big- screen theaters. Some will even bend and unbend at the touch of a button. Yeah, you heard me right. This new technology is mind- blowing. Bottom line: killer viewing experience. Speaking of a killer experience, these technologies demands premium dollars, premium presentation, and a premium pitch. Who better than you to take advantage of the most exciting and profitable segments of these new technologies? Indepen- dents have the opportunity to command the early adopter segment with a history of fantastic presentation, knowledgeable salespeople, and premium service. I am extremely eager to see the influx of excitement (and sales) that Ultra HD and curved UHD will bring to retailers. The question is, will you be ready to capture your unfair share of this available market as it explodes in 2014? Tom Hickman Consumer Electronics Trends Tom Hickman is the Senior Vice President of Electronics for Nationwide Marketing Group. Call (336) 722-4681 or visit www.nationwidegroup.org. THE TRANSITION TO CURVE UHD RO

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