Electronic show running on low battery
The 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show promises the latest innovations in technological gadgets and products. But as Jeremy Hobson reports, attendance is expected to be much lower than in years past because retailers who sell electronics are being hit hard by the recession.
The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (Courtesy of Destination360)
More on Science
TEXT OF STORY
Kai Ryssdal: Millions of Americans are back home today from their Christmas holidays, maybe trying to set up an electronic gift or two, asking the perennial question, "Does it take AA batteries or AAA?" Or perhaps more appropriately for 2008, "How do I plug this guitar into my Wii?"
The consumer electronics industry is doing a little setting up itself, getting ready for the annual Consumer Electronics Show out in Las Vegas. This year though, there is a small warning on the box. It says: Consumers not included. Marketplace's Jeremy Hobson reports.
Jeremy Hobson: The Consumer Electronics Show is one of the big -- huge -- trade shows of the year. Jason Oxman with the Consumer Electronics Association describes it as:
Jason Oxman: The place at which every major consumer electronics innovation you can imagine was first unveiled.
The industry includes all the TVs, DVD players, PlayStations, computers and cell phones out there. And its U.S. revenues are expected to reach $173 billion this year. But the retailers who sell electronics are hurting, so much so that CES attendance will be thousands of people lower than it was last year.
Oxman: And one thing that we've done this year is assist some of the smaller companies by providing them some travel assistance to help offset the high cost of airfare.
That may not be enough, says Ross Rubin who covers the industry for the NPD Group. He says while many now see their electronics as a necessity, the industry is not immune to the recession.
Ross Rubin: If consumers aren't cutting back absolutely on buying the product, they're often cutting back in terms of the price that they're looking to pay or the brand that they're looking to acquire.
That means smaller plasma screens and smaller profits for retailers. Jason Oxman does see one good side to the down economy, at least when it comes to boosting attendance at the CES.
Oxman: This year, because tourist traffic to Las Vegas has fallen off the cliff, hotels are offering very good rates.
That may be one reason many companies are moving their product displays into hotel suites and off of the pricey showroom floor.
In New York, I'm Jeremy Hobson for Marketplace.
Comments
Comment | Refresh
From TX, 12/30/2008
Unfortunately I have not been to CES, but I was a Comdex loyalist for several year too. I had hoped to go to CES this year, but Alas like Jim said I will probably miss it as it goes the way of Comdex and the do do bird! http://www.what2fly.com
From Las Vegas, NV, 12/30/2008
In my opinion, CES line staff could care less about loyal attendees and holding a successful trade show. I attended CES for many years. A few months ago, they initiated a last minute new registration fee of $100 per attendee. When I emailed them about my assumed registration confirmation, they claimed that it was never posted. After a few exchanged emails, they have not even responded since November. Obviously, I have cancelled my plans to attend. I also used to regularly attend COMDEX until that huge trade show imploded in a similar manner. It is likely that CES will also implode because they just do not understand that the boom years are over for now. It is unfortunate to witness such a successful franchise become irrelevant for so many business attendees.
Post a Comment: Please be civil, brief and relevant.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. All comments are moderated. Marketplace reserves the right to edit any comments on this site and to read them on the air if they are extra-interesting. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting.
You must be 13 or over to submit information to American Public Media. The information entered into this form will not be used to send unsolicited email and will not be sold to a third party. For more information see Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.