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Sony Doubles-Down on Transformation from CE to Gaming, Media, & Services

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sony invests

Company Plans to Invest $18 Billion in ‘Strategic Investments’; See What Segments are Targeted

Sony Group announced yesterday that it will invest no less than ¥2 trillion ($18 billion) over the next three years to turbo-charge the company’s transition from a consumer electronics powerhouse to a global leader in gaming, media, and services. The only hardware they are looking to equally dominate is the sensor business – and a potential entry into the general chip-making business (more on this later).

More on the remarkable Sony global transformation

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New Insights on Americans Expectations for Post-Pandemic Life & Work

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Americans expectations for the post-pandemic include ditching their masks

What a Difference a Year Makes!

New research from global researcher IPSOS and published by Quirks shows Americans are anxiously anticipating the post-pandemic period with a strong desire to reconnect with a ‘normal’ lifestyle. What do they crave? In some cases, the answer to that is predictable – and in other cases the answer is a surprise. But I found one thing interesting, the mood of their answers changes dramatically when Americans are asked about the topic of returning to work.

See the latest data on Americans expectations for the new ‘normal’

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IFA, a September Tech Trade Show, is Now Cancelled

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IFA homepage

What’s this? A tech industry trade show, scheduled to take place in September is cancelled? Yes, it’s true…but it’s not the CEDIA Expo. In fact, it is IFA, a large consumer and trade tech show in Germany that is said to be the world’s largest tech exposition. Promoters have decided to cancel the live event due to continuing uncertainties surrounding COVID.

What does the IFA cancellation mean for CEDIA Expo?

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More Positive Consumer News as Luxury Marketer LVMH Reports Q1 Sales

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Photo of LVMH Louis Vuitton store in Paris, France
Louis Vuitton store in Paris, France

LVMH, the global owner and marketer of luxury goods carrying some of the most prestigious brands, reported on Tuesday strong first quarter 2021 sales growth that handily exceeded even the most optimistic forecasts of market analysts. This is yet another encouraging sign of a significant rebound in consumer spending – especially with the type of consumer who tends to be the primary customer base for the custom integration channel.

See more on LVMH and its results with luxury consumers…

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Consumer Optimism: Americans See a Light at the End of the COVID Tunnel

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Axios logo

A new Axios-Ipsos poll has shown a marked turn towards more consumer optimism in American’s attitude about the condition of their lives under COVID. They are becoming dramatically more hopeful as the administration takes actions to step-up the availability of vaccines.

See the latest poll data on consumer COVID sentiment…

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Forecasting What to Expect in 2021 When There are So Many Unknowables

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2021 forecast - Famous New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra

Famous New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra once said, “Forecasting is very difficult, especially when it’s about the future.” Yet another wise saying from one of history’s most quoted sages. Even so, lately many regular Strata-gee readers (some of my favorite Strata-gists), have been asking me to do just exactly that – predict the future.

That is such a risky business…only a fool would take such a challenge.

See this fool’s forecast for 2021…

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Annual CEDIA State of the Association Report Includes Some Drama

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CEDIA State of the Association opening slide

Nearly 600 Members Leave the Association in 2020

CEDIA held their annual State of the Association report for members today and, as usual, it was a well produced, glitzy affair more bent on selling the organization to all who choose to watch and listen. The Master of Ceremonies was Giles Sutton – no surprise for anyone aware of some of the inside actions taking place at the highly political organization. Sutton is the interim co-CEO of the trade group. But is it a trade group? Or is it something else altogether?

Learn more about what CEDIA said in their Annual Report to members…

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New COVID Outbreak Causes Consumer Anxiety Flare-Up

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Results Pose a Threat to Economic Recovery

A new poll shows that the latest flare-up of COVID-19 – which is generating infections, hospitalizations, and deaths at a rate that exceeds those of the worst of readings from this last Spring – are causing an outbreak of another type…anxiety and dread amongst consumers. This sobering data suggests that an increase in anxiety in consumers could result in stalling our economic recovery.

See this new poll on growing consumer dread…

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Considering Bringing Remote Workers Back to the Office? Consider This First…

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Upset person needing help with mental wellbeing issues

Mental Wellbeing Issues Emerge as a Major Side-Effect of COVID-19

One of the questions I’m frequently asked is, “When will the economy bounce back to pre-COVID levels so we can all get back to normal?” The answer: We won’t “bounce back” to a pre-pandemic economy, and “normal” won’t be the same. The details on this answer is a topic for another post, but suffice it to say that one of the reasons is due to emerging, unforeseen variables, such as deteriorating employee mental wellbeing issues.

And THAT IS the topic of this post. Two new surveys provide troubling but important data that will impact how – or if – you re-centralize your team…if that’s your plan.

See new data on your team’s mental wellness…

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Best Buy Blows Away Fiscal 2nd Quarter Estimates – Yet Its Stock Drops; Why?

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Best Buy store

Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY) had what appeared to be a big win this week, generating financial results that handily beat its fiscal second quarter estimates, driven largely by a huge 242.2% increase in ecommerce sales. Their fiscal second quarter, the 13-week period that ended August 1, 2020 was big, coming in at $9.910 billion – even in a COVID-19 ravaged quarter – fully 4% higher than the $9.536 billion in the same quarter in 2019.

And yet, the company’s stock value DROPPED on the announcement of their quarterly results. And in after-hours trading, Best Buy stock lost as much as 5% of its value. Why did that happen?

See why Best Buy stock got hit, on good news…

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