Global Consumer Electronics

CHAPTER 1 MARKET OVERVIEW (p. 7)

1.1 Market Definition

The global consumer electronics market consists of the total revenues generated through the sale of video, audio and games consoles. The video sector consists of televisions, video recorders (VCRs), DVD players/recorders, integrated television recorders, camcorders, digital cameras, set top boxes. The audio sector consists of audio home systems, CD-players/recorders, minidisks, radios, a portable audio systems. Games consoles consist of all hand-held and plug-in consoles. The market is valued at retail selling price (RSP) with any currency conversions calculated using constant 2004 annual average exchange rates.

For the purposes of this report, Europe is deemed to be Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. Asia-Pacific comprises Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The global market consists of Europe, Asia-Pacific, Canada, the US, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.

1.2 Research Highlights

The global consumer electronics market has seen significant growth in recent years with just a few multinational companies holding a majority of the market share. Whilst the global market for consumer electronics is highly lucrative, the increasing speed of innovation has forced companies to invest heavily into R&D initiatives in order to ensure their products remain at the cutting edge.

Whilst product innovation has proven costly, it is also responsible for the extremely rapid growth of the market.