News Analysis
Will Black Friday Revitalize TV Sales?
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (September 19,
2012) --
GottaDeal.com yesterday released the first of what will be
several industry predictions about prices on Black Friday, the
unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. However, if
Gotta Deal is right about its HDTV forecast, it could help drive
reluctant consumers back into stores to buy TVs.
The headlines have been filled all year with reports that TV
sales have been flat and NPD Display Search last week said
second quarter shipments fell eight percent worldwide, compared
to last year.
But GottaDeal.com says retailers will likely sell 32-inch LCD
HDTVs for as low as $149 this Black Friday. The site, which annually makes Black Friday predictions, says
720p 42-inch sets will likely be available for as low as
$249 with 47-inch and 50-inch LCD and LED models available for
around $399 and $449 respectively.
The site adds that 42-inch, 1080p sets will likely be available
for around $349 or less.
Any savvy TV shopper knows that those are very attractive
prices. In some cases, the sets will be discounted by 50 percent
or more.
So will consumers, many of whom bought a TV set just 3-4 years
ago to prepare for the Digital TV transition, drop their
resistance and start buying again?
I suspect that the answer is yes for people looking to buy a
second set for the kids' room or a back bedroom. At $149, a
32-inch set would fit quite nicely in someone's den.
But if Black Friday, which will be November 23 this year, does
trigger a mini-sales rush for TVs, will it continue throughout
the holidays and into the new year?
With prices for larger screen sets likely to stay roughly the
same, it's 50-50 at best. But at least Black Friday should give
the industry another chance to convince consumers that it's okay
to buy a TV again.
