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Supply Chain Recovery Threatened by New COVID Lockdowns in China

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The supply chain recovery threatened w/new China COVID lockdowns
Some of the 21 million residents of Chengdu, China submitting to daily COVID testing [EPA/Shutterstock, NY Times]

Like being forced to watch a rerun of a movie you never liked in the first place, China is back to closing major cities around the country as a new round of COVID infections has emerged. China continues to maintain a “zero-COVID” policy of government-ordered aggressive measures designed to stamp out any new outbursts of coronavirus infections. But the impact of this policy is disastrous to the local and global economies – threatening to snuff out the recent signs of a recovery in the supply chain.

See how China’s shutdowns leave the supply chain recovery threatened

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Draper Creates New Role of Director of Residential Markets; Appoints Childress

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Clint Childress is the man Draper Creates New Role for

Draper, Inc., an Indiana-based maker of commercial shades, announced this week that they have created a new role at the company targeted specifically at the residential custom integration channel. The new role is called Director of Residential Markets and the man filling this new role is Clint Childress.

Learn more as Draper creates new role in residential

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Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall Updates Frustrated Dealers; Did It Help?

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Key executives address the Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall
Brad Hintze, Dan Feldstein, Dan Brady

This week, Crestron Electronics held a special Supply Chain Town Hall meeting with their dealers to conduct a deep dive into the root causes of their delivery delays, suggest what actions dealers can take, and offer a preview of what to expect in the future. The action was taken, the company says, in the name of transparency – a noble goal. But some dealers are asking what took so long – we are now 2½ years into supply chain issues and things don’t seem to be getting any better at Crestron. Or are they?

See more on the Crestron Supply Chain Town Hall meeting

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Frederick J. Ampel, Five-Decade AV Industry Vet, Dies at 75

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Photo of Fred Ampel
[Photo: CEDIA]

Frederick Jared Ampel, a long-time AV industry vet participating in the pro, commercial, and residential segments, died August 28, 2022 from diabetes and kidney complications. He was 75 years old and enjoyed a 50-year career in AV – a career in which he was still active until his death. While well-known in certain industry circles, Ampel was not a household name and he’d likely not have wanted it any other way.

But Fred Ampel’s influence had a direct impact on the industry…

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Consumer Sentiment by Income Turns Positive, Especially at Higher Incomes

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consumer sentiment by income

After 70+ days of declining gas prices and news that inflation has peaked, consumers are feeling a little bit better about things. And that is especially true of wealthier consumers, according to the latest reading from the Morning Consult/Axios Inequality Index – which includes consumer sentiment information broken down by income level.

See this latest reading of consumer sentiment by income

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July Sales of New Single-Family Homes Hit 6-1/2 Year Low; Prices Increase

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sales of new single-family homes photo

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly released the latest housing data this week showing that sales of new single-family homes in July hit their lowest level in 6½ years. While unit sales declined, both median and average prices continued to increase, making future home sales even more unaffordable.

See more details on new single-family home sales in July

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Teardown Analysis Shows Amazon is Cheapening Its Base Echo Model

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Amazon Echo

In a new and interesting teardown analysis that included a cost of production comparison between the previous and the newest version of Amazon’s Echo, it appears that the company is making dramatic changes to lower the cost of their basic Echo model. Even though cost has been cut by more than half, the report says that the company still often sells it at a loss.

See more on the cheapening of the Amazon Echo

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Audiophile Hero Mobile Fidelity Hit With Multi-Million Dollar Class Action Lawsuit

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the cover of a recent Pretenders record reissue from Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab

Has MoFi Been Pretending?

A lawsuit alleging a variety of deceptive practices by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, Inc. (Mobile Fidelity or MoFi), a major player in the premium analog vinyl record community, has been filed by premium vinyl record fan Adam Stiles. Stiles is bringing this case on behalf of himself “…and all others similarly situated against Defendent Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, Inc.”

Those whom he seeks to represent are all customers who purchased MoFi products since 2011 on the basis of the company’s assurance of its products’ pure analog, direct from the master tape, heritage. It turns out that this crucial selling point for the company is…allegedly…in many cases, a lie.

See more on the alleged deception by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab

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Data Suggests Inflation-Impacted High-Income Consumers are ‘Trading Down’

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consumers are 'trading down' to high value products
Via CNBC [Photo: Joe Raedle | Getty Images}

High-Income Consumers are ‘Trading Down’ to High-Value Products

Walmart surprised analysts in its latest earnings report for its fiscal second quarter. After having issued a warning last month that its profit may drop as shoppers were feeling the effects of high inflation and focusing purchases on necessities like food rather than discretionary (and more profitable) items such as electronics. But on Tuesday, the company reported solid revenue increases and although earnings tightened a little, they still beat analysts’ forecasts.

In a tough economic environment for retailers, how did they do it? The company says they are attracting more middle- and high-income shoppers. These high-income consumers are ‘trading down’ – an effect that has been discovered in past times of economic slowdowns and recessions. And it seems to be happening now…

Read more about high-end customers trading down

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July Housing Starts Hit Lowest Level Since February 2021

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housing starts measure new homes like this one being built

In the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, we learn that overall housing starts have hit their lowest level since February 2021 as climbing mortgage rates combined with still-high housing prices have made homes unaffordable for many Americans. The same report also notes that building permits have declined as well, suggesting housing will remain in decline for some time to come.

Learn more about housing starts during July

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