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By: Richard Del Cazzo
Web site: http://www.hdtv-hdtv.com
Sales of LCD plasma television sets are expected to almost
double this year on the back of near-insatiable demand, with
Australian consumers among the most eager to own them.
The electronics industry has upgraded its sales forecast
for the hi-tech flat screen sets, suggesting about 3.65 million
will be sold worldwide in the next 12 months.
Australian retailers are reporting strong luxury television
sales growth as part of a nationwide trend towards expensive
home theatre systems.
Isamu Shiroki, chief executive of NEC Australia, said the
LCD plasma television market had been growing in Australia
for two years and the public had now embraced it.
"LCD plasma television has gone from a fashionable item
to a popular, sought-after home accessory," he said.
Another Japanese-based manufacturer, Pioneer, said yesterday
that as part of plans to quadruple capacity it will accelerate
the start of a production line by more than a month to meet
demand for LCD plasma television sets.
Pioneer sold 160,000 of the sets under its own brand in the
year to March, according to company president Kaneo Ito -
almost all it was able to make.
Samsung Electronics, the world's second-biggest maker of
liquid crystal displays, plans to build a new LCD plasma television
plant by 2006 to keep pace with Japanese rival Sharp Corp
in meeting rising flat-screen demand.
In Australia, the rise in value of the local currency has
helped reduce prices of some models - which can cost more
than $10,000 - making the sets more affordable and helping
fuel demand.
"We're selling more widescreen TVs and plasma screen
TVs than we ever have before," said Retravision chief
executive Keith Perkin recently.
"As prices fall, people match up TVs with surround sound
and speakers."
When national electronic, DVD and music chain JB Hi-Fi posted
8.4 per cent comparable store growth for the six months to
December 31, 2003, it listed strong growth in LCD plasma televisions
as one of its operational highlights.
JB shares were issued at $1.80, listed at $2.20 and closed
1¢ higher on Thursday at $2.34. Analysts are upbeat on
the company's prospects, partly because of its exposure to
the booming home theatre market.
Home theatre systems were a "stand-out" category
for Woolworths-owned electronics chain Dick Smith as it recorded
12 per cent sales growth in the first half, while department
store operator David Jones, anticipating high demand, stocked
up on plasma screen TVs before the winter football season
this year.
And expansionist furniture, electronics and computer chain
Harvey Norman has made no secret of its success in selling
plasma TVs, with chairman Gerry Harvey thanking the hi-tech
boom in digital home entertainment for much of his company's
20 per cent lift in profit in the half to December 31.
"LCD Plasma television screens, digital cameras and
home theatre systems are growing fast," Mr Harvey said
at the time.
"These are emerging technology products that continue
to drive sales growth."
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