On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

According to GfK and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), global CE spending will reach over $1 trillion for the first time in 2012, growing by 5% Y-o-Y.

In comparison, CE spending for 2011 totals $993 billion.

"Despite slowing growth in developed markets, robust growth in emerging markets, particularly Emerging APAC (Asia Pacific) and Central & Eastern Europe (including Russia), has helped sustain global spending in 2011 at the relatively healthy level of 8%” GfK remarks.

The analyst says the smartphone sector will "remain the key growth driver in 2012." Tablets will also show strong growth, reaching $39BN in 2011. GfK also expects tablets to show "a strong double digit increase" for 2012.

So what will customers want in this year and beyond? Mobile connected devices, as consumers all over the world demand for the shiniest in technology.

Go Global Consumer Tech Device Spending to Surpass $1 Trillion in 2012 (GfK)

Futuresource Consulting expects connected TVs to "lead the way" in global TV shipments, predicting connected TV shipments will grow from 27% of total 2011 TV units to over 80% by 2015.

However Europe is still behind the connected TV curve, having the lowest current WW penetration rate with only 24% of TV sales being connected.

3DTV will also show growth, with global 2011 shipments reaching 16M units-- but only thanks to connectivity. Futuresource says customers will upgrade their TVs for connected features while being unaware of their purchases' 3D functionality. 3DTV should grow to take over 50% of the 2015 market according to the analyst.

IP connectivity is quickly becoming a standard TV feature, appearing in 60-80% of manufacturer product portfolios. Embedded wifi is also driving usage, appearing in many premium TV models.

Furesource expects LED TVs will continue making the majority of shipments-- accounting for 90% of 2015 shipments. The analyst predicts other technologies (LCD, PDP, CRT) will decline further throughout the 2011-2015 period, wile OLED will "gain traction" as more manufacturers start launching models carrying the technology. Samsung and LG alrleady announced OLED TVs at CES 2012.

Go Connected TV to Dominate Global TV Shipments by 2015

Jan. 16th saw the opening of another Media Markt offering-- an online shop currently open for customers based in Germany.

The retailer says the online shop is "closely linked" to the  244 Media Markt stores in Germany, allowing customers to pick up ordered goods at a store of their choice.

Products available online cover the new media, TV and home cinema, audio, mobile, navigation devices, camera and video and small domestic appliances categories. Media Markt says around 2500 different products are available, with the selection to be "gradually expanded" in the future.

The online shop also incorporates the existing Media Markt digital download shop offering music, video-on-demand, games, software and ebooks.

Go Media Markt in Germany Expands Multichannel Offering with Online Shop

Dixons Retail claims "solid performance" for the 12 weeks ending 7th January 2012, despite total group sales declining by -5% Y-o-Y for the period.

UK & Ireland sales for the Currys and PC World owner (excluding new store openings) fall by -7% Y-o-Y. The retailer says the 2011 VAT increase "distorted" Christmas period sales totals, as like-for-like sales were up 2% in the 1-14th January 2012 period and up 23% during 4-14 January 2012.

The retailer says stores having KNOWHOW installation and support services also show "strong sales."

Sales in S. Europe (Italy, Greece, Turkey) fare worse by dropping by -10% Y-o-Y due to worsening economic environments, while N. Europe (Nordics and C. Europe) sees 3% growth. Dixons runs Elkjop in the Nordics, UniEuro in Italy and Kotsovolos in Greece.

Online sales are growing in importance for the retailer-- online now represents 19% of total group sales. Group CE John Browett comments "Consumer confidence in many of our markets remains fragile and we will maintain a cautious approach to the outlook for the year ahead..."

Go Dixons Trading Statement