Consumer Electronics in the United Kingdom
Euromonitor International's Consumer Electronics in the United Kingdom report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the audio and video products market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market- be they new product developments, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts illustrate how the market is set to change.
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Tables: 52 | Publication date: Apr 2007
Why buy this report
- Get insight into trends in market performance
- Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change
- Identify market and brand leaders and understand the competitive environment
Product coverage
In-car consumer electronics (aftermarket); In-home consumer electronics; Portable consumer electronics
Executive summary
Digital products are eclipsing analogue products
The digitisation of the market and the convergence of technologies, namely in video and audio storage and playback, are driving the sales of consumer electronics in the UK. Technological advances are shifting consumers' preferences, from VCRs to DVD players, from analogue to digital cameras and camcorders, and from analogue to high-definition TVs. As a consequence, many retailers have withdrawn audio cassette players, VHS and analogue cameras from the market as analogue products are becoming obsolete.
Sales of flat-panel and high-definition TVs are booming
The demand for flat-panel and plasma screen TVs has grown enormously in the over the 2004-2006 period, as consumers' habits have changed, thus putting the manufacturers of conventional TVs under pressure. The fall in prices was led by the growth of competition, while the robust overall performance of the economy, together with low interest rates and easy access to credit, also gave a significant boost to the sales of HDTVs. The 2006 World Cup – which was broadcast in HD format –also made an important contribution to this extraordinary performance of sales.
MP3 players are a "must have"
Sales of MP3 players, and especially the Apple iPod, boomed in 2006, and they are currently a "must have" item among UK consumers. A number of different models have been launched, and cheaper, unbranded products from China and Turkey are also playing a significant role. Moreover, upgraded versions of the product are in development, including mp4 players, MP3 players with hard disk memories, and media players with substantial improvements in image resolution and network connectivity.
Global players are positioning themselves in sector-leading products
The UK consumer electronics market is dominated by leading global manufacturers – predominantly Japanese companies – which are able to maintain commanding positions in most segments by exploiting their technological expertise and strong brand equity. At the same time, the maturity and/or obsolescence of some products is providing an opportunity for the growth of low-cost brands, many of which are "badged" products sourced on a batch production basis from the low-cost countries in the Far East, particularly China. Consequently, major players are positioning themselves in strategic segments with sector-leading products, such as HDTVs, digital cameras and digital camcorders, with innovative technologies to take maximum advantage of consumers' shifting preferences.
Retail concentration is putting margins under pressure
An increasing proportion of the sales of consumer electronics products is now concentrated in the hands of specialist electronic multiples and supermarkets/hypermarkets/discounters, whose primary interest lies in maintaining competitive prices. This retail concentration is also a significant feature of the distribution channels and poses a threat to certain manufacturers that have been forced to withdraw some product segments and to implement substantial cost reductions and business reorientation policies. On the other hand, the position of the specialist independent retailers, which provide customers with expert advice on the selection and use of products, has been partly undermined.
Production moves away, but R&D remains
In an extremely competitive marketplace, where price margins are being pushed down very rapidly, many leading manufacturers, including Sony and Panasonic, are restructuring their businesses and have embarked upon a global process of reducing the number of their production units, and transferring the UK production to East European and Asian countries. Despite this, their research and development operations remained, because the availability of human capital enables them to maintain the continuous path of innovation.
Table of contents
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM : MARKET INSIGHT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Digital products are eclipsing analogue products
Sales of flat-panel and high-definition TVs are booming
MP3 players are a "must have"
Global players are positioning themselves in sector-leading products
Retail concentration is putting margins under pressure
Production moves away, but R&D remains
KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS
Robust growth and low interest rates boost consumer electronics
The digital revolution is happening very quickly
Increasing competition and new products mean falling prices
The era of flat-panel and high-definition TVs
Innovation and technology are key words for leading players
Portable products are increasingly valuable
Concentration of retailers is dominating distribution channels
MARKET DATA
Table 1 Sales of Consumer Electronics by Sector: Volume 2001-2006
Table 2 Sales of Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Volume Breakdown 2001-2006
Table 3 Sales of Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Volume Growth 2001-2006
Table 4 Sales of Consumer Electronics by Sector: Value 2001-2006
Table 5 Sales of Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Value Breakdown 2001-2006
Table 6 Sales of Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 7 Consumer Electronics Company Shares 2002-2005
Table 8 Consumer Electronics Brand Shares 2002-2005
Table 9 Sales of Consumer Electronics by Distribution Format 2001-2006
Table 10 Forecast Sales of Consumer Electronics by Sector: Volume 2006-2011
Table 11 Forecast Sales of Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Volume Breakdown 2006-2011
Table 12 Forecast Sales of Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Volume Growth 2006-2011
Table 13 Forecast Sales of Consumer Electronics by Sector: Value 2006-2011
Table 14 Forecast Sales of Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Value Breakdown 2006-2011
Table 15 Forecast Sales of Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Value Growth 2006-2011
DEFINITIONS
LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - UNITED KINGDOM
ALBA PLC - CONSUMER ELECTRONICS - UNITED KINGDOM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 1 Alba Plc: Key Facts
Summary 2 Alba Plc: Operational Indicators 2003-2005
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 3 Alba Plc: Competitive Position 2005
PANASONIC UK LTD - CONSUMER ELECTRONICS - UNITED KINGDOM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 4 Panasonic UK Ltd: Key Facts
Summary 5 Panasonic UK Ltd: Operational Indicators 2004-2005
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 6 Panasonic UK Ltd: Competitive Position 2005
PURE DIGITAL LTD - CONSUMER ELECTRONICS - UNITED KINGDOM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 7 Pure Digital Ltd: Key Facts
Summary 8 Pure Digital Ltd: Operational Indicators 2003-2005
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 9 Pure Digital Ltd: Competitive Position 2005
SONY UNITED KINGDOM LTD - CONSUMER ELECTRONICS - UNITED KINGDOM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 10 Sony UK Ltd: Key Facts
Summary 11 Sony UK Ltd: Operational Indicators 2003-2005
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 12 Sony UK Ltd: Competitive Position 2005
WHARFEDALE INTERNATIONAL LTD - CONSUMER ELECTRONICS - UNITED KINGDOM
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
KEY FACTS
Summary 13 Wharfedale International Ltd: Key Facts
Summary 14 Wharfedale International Ltd: Operational Indicators 2003-2005
COMPANY BACKGROUND
PRODUCTION
COMPETITIVE POSITIONING
Summary 15 Wharfedale International Ltd: Competitive Position 2005
IN-HOME CONSUMER ELECTRONICS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 16 Sales of In-home Consumer Electronics by Sector: Volume 2001-2006
Table 17 Sales of In-home Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Volume Growth 2001-2006
Table 18 Sales of In-home Consumer Electronics by Sector: Value 2001-2006
Table 19 Sales of In-home Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 20 In-home Consumer Electronics Company Shares 2002-2005
Table 21 In-home Consumer Electronics Brand Shares 2002-2005
Table 22 Sales of In-home Consumer Electronics by Distribution Format 2001-2006
Table 23 Forecast Sales of In-home Consumer Electronics by Sector: Volume 2006-2011
Table 24 Forecast Sales of In-home Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Volume Growth 2006-2011
Table 25 Forecast Sales of In-home Consumer Electronics by Sector: Value 2006-2011
Table 26 Forecast Sales of In-home Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Value Growth 2006-2011
IN-CAR CONSUMER ELECTRONICS (AFTERMARKET) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
HEADLINES
TRENDS
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
PROSPECTS
SECTOR DATA
Table 27 Sales of In-car Consumer Electronics by Sector: Volume 2001-2006
Table 28 Sales of In-car Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Volume Growth 2001-2006
Table 29 Sales of In-car Consumer Electronics by Sector: Value 2001-2006
Table 30 Sales of In-car Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Value Growth 2001-2006
Table 31 In-car Consumer Electronics Company Shares 2002-2005
Table 32 In-car Consumer Electronics Brand Shares 2002-2005
Table 33 Sales of In-car Consumer Electronics by Distribution Format 2001-2006
Table 34 Forecast Sales of In-car Consumer Electronics by Sector: Volume 2006-2011
Table 35 Forecast Sales of In-car Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Volume Growth 2006-2011
Table 36 Forecast Sales of In-car Consumer Electronics by Sector: Value 2006-2011
Table 37 Forecast Sales of In-car Consumer Electronics by Sector: % Value Growth 2006-2011