Could a Recession Hurt HDTV Sales?
The Super Bowl sales report could tell the tale.
By Swanni
If so, will the economic slowdown mean falling sales of High-Definition TVs?
The sales report for this year's Super Bowl could provide the answer.
The Consumer Electronics Association says approximately 2-2.5 million high-def sets were sold specifically for last year's game. The trade group is estimating that 2.4 million 'Super Bowl' sets will be sold prior to this year's game, which will be played Sunday.
The Super Bowl, which is watched by an estimated one billion people worldwide, has become an annual excuse to buy a new TV. The game has become a focal point for neighborhood parties and other gatherings.
However, some analysts are not so sure that high-def will get the usual Super Bowl bounce this year. Concerned about layoffs and other woes caused by the economic slowdown, consumers may hesitate to shell out thousands of dollars for a new TV.
Forrester Research tells Wired News that many high-def shoppers bought their sets during the 2007 holidays.
"What is happening more and more is that people are buying their Super Bowl TVs back in December because the prices are so good around the holidays," said Forrester Research analyst James McQuivey, "so the Super Bowl spike is probably decreasing in significance."
McQuivey also opines that many high-def sets purchased prior to Sunday's game will be by current HD owners looking to upgrade.
"I will say that of the activity you'll see this week, more and more of it will be people ... upgrading to a 50-inch from the now small-seeming 40-inch in the living room," McQuivey told Wired.
McQuivey says his company's data shows that Super Bowl TV buying will be about 20 percent of the holiday period.
Whether Super Bowl sales decline or not, other analysts have said the electronics category may be one that's immune to a recession.
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