We first reported on the formation of a new distributor group called Catalyst AV almost exactly one-year ago in December 2012, just prior to their formal launch at the International Consumer Electronics show this past January. While the concept of a national association of regional distributors was not a new phenomenon – various groups started forming back in the mid- to late-1990s – this particular announcement had some added drama with several of the initial members unilaterally defecting from competitor DDG.
Strategy
Yikes! New Research Confirms It: Affluents are Moving to Digital Shopping
In news sure to send a chill through the backbone of every luxury retailer and manufacturer of every luxury product – electronics included – eMarketer is reporting that new research makes it clear that Affluents, loosely defined as those with household incomes over $100,000, are now shopping online in increasing numbers. Up until now, online shopping was predominantly the domain of the mass consumer, with Affluents preferring gorgeous showrooms laden luxury appointments and knowledgeable, well-dressed and poised staff who cheerfully kowtow to them. Not any more…
Learn more about this latest research on Affluents, likely the target end-user for many of us… [Read more…] about Yikes! New Research Confirms It: Affluents are Moving to Digital Shopping
Century Stereo, JBL & Ferrari of Silicon Valley Partner on Holiday Event with Charity Benefit
Century Stereo, a prominent and respected Northern California A/V specialty retailer, announced this week that it will hold an exclusive, invitation-only, high-end consumer event called A Taste of the Good Life for a Good Cause. Partnering with Century Stereo in this event is JBL and Ferrari of Silicon Valley. According to the company, this event – being held December 12th – will offer invited guests the opportunity to “explore the best of the best in regards to luxury.”
See more on this unique, luxury event to showcase a luxury, high-end lifestyle… [Read more…] about Century Stereo, JBL & Ferrari of Silicon Valley Partner on Holiday Event with Charity Benefit
What’s Better Than a Warranty? The DaVinci Group Announces WarrantyPLUS
>Strata-gee SCOOP<
The DaVinci Group announced today a significant upgrade to its warranty program – already one of the best overall warranty programs available. Currently, the company offers 2-years parts and labor on all wireless products, 5-years parts and labor on all amplifiers, and an impressive Lifetime replacement warranty on all architectural speakers, volume controls, and speaker selectors. How do you improve on a solid warranty package like that?
What is The DaVinci Groups’ WarrantyPLUS™? If you’re a dealer, you’ve got to see this… [Read more…] about What’s Better Than a Warranty? The DaVinci Group Announces WarrantyPLUS
Beats in Bold Play to Save the Music
Beats Electronics, Inc., better known by their Beats by Dr. Dre brand, announced today that they are partnering with the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation in an effort to save and preserve the iconic Muscle Shoals Sound recording studio in Sheffield, Alabama. The effort comes in response to a documentary shown at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, reminiscing on the incredible influence of Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and its predecessor, FAME Recording Studios, also in Northern Alabama, for nearly two decades the unlikely center of the music business…but which have both now fallen into disrepair.
See why Beats wants to get involved…and discover the famous musicians that recorded there… [Read more…] about Beats in Bold Play to Save the Music
Panasonic, Cutting Costs, Halves Digital Camera Assortment
The Nikkei reported this week that Panasonic Corp. will only introduce about five new digital camera models next year – half its normal number – in a bid to take all steps necessary to return to profitability. While once a bright spot for the company which saw success for some of its higher end Lumix models – the report says that the category has come under intense pressure as smartphone cameras continue to improve.
See more on Panasonic’s decision to cut back on the number of cameras it will offer in 2014… [Read more…] about Panasonic, Cutting Costs, Halves Digital Camera Assortment
The Picture of Its Future is Still a Little Fuzzy at Loewe AG
German luxury TV manufacturer Loewe AG said today that it is in final stages of discussions with two different potential investors or buyers. The company, once the source of hopes by U.S. specialty A/V dealers for a more profitable step-up video line, has yet to emerge from the bankruptcy protection it invoked earlier this year.
See more on this worldwide luxury television manufacturer who is struggling to survive… [Read more…] about The Picture of Its Future is Still a Little Fuzzy at Loewe AG
Energy Squad Says Dealers Found ‘LED Diet’ Training Quite Fulfilling
Energy Squad, LLC, a distributor exclusively focused on offering energy-efficient or “green” technology products nationally, announced today that earlier this month it had completed its first round of dealer training on their “LED Diet” program – a solution first announced at this past CEDIA Expo. For this first 2½-day intensive training, the company brought in dealers from all across the United States who were interested in learning how Energy Squad’s LED Diet program could help make their customer’s energy usage lean – while making their integrators’ profits fat.
See more on how Energy Squad customers are putting their clients on an LED Diet… [Read more…] about Energy Squad Says Dealers Found ‘LED Diet’ Training Quite Fulfilling
In Wake of Poor Results, JVC Kenwood Announces Major Cuts to Staff & Compensation
Just days after the JVC Kenwood Corp. announced their dismal fiscal first-half results and revealed dramatic revisions to their full-year forecast – including the surprising news that they would lose money this year – the company released a statement saying they would attack their performance shortcomings aggressively. A series of actions were outlined designed to mitigate the company’s projected loss…but they couldn’t say for sure at this time if these actions will have a material effect on the remaining fiscal period’s performance.
See the steps JVC Kenwood’s board of directors outlined to minimize their losses… [Read more…] about In Wake of Poor Results, JVC Kenwood Announces Major Cuts to Staff & Compensation
Nortek Q3 Results: The Road to Success Remains Really, Really Bumpy
On Thursday last week, Nortek, Inc. released the financial results for its third quarter (ending September 28, 2013) as well as their nine-month YTD results – and on the following Friday convened a conference call with analysts to discuss them. While management put a positive spin on these results, one didn’t have to look very hard to see some glaring bumps Nortek is experiencing on their challenging road to success through restructuring and reorganization.
You can almost hear it in Michael J. Clarke’s voice when he said: “Nortek’s net sales and underlying operating performance for the third quarter were consistent with our expectations.” Not exactly the rousing proclamation of success we typically hear on their conference call for industry analysts.
