No Hope Yet For Cons Electronics

The consumer electronics industry, which has seen a negative growth in the first half of the current calendar year, is unlikely to see a turnaround in the second half as well.

Only the colour television (CTV) segment is counting on a possible growth in the second half. Rajeev Karwal, senior vice-president, Philips, and president of the Consumer Electronics and Television Manufacturers Association (Cetma), said the second half could see a five per cent growth in the sector over that in the same period last year, against a 15 per cent drop in sales in the first half.

Karwal said, "The industry expects the market to pick up in the second half with better monsoon and the arrival of the festival season."

The black and white television sector, which saw a 25 per cent decline in sales in the first six months, is likely to see a 20 per cent drop in sales in the second half, Cetma officials said.

Radio sales will also show a negative 10 per cent growth in the July-December half against a 15 per cent drop in the first half.

Stereo recorders are also expected to show a 15 per cent dip in sales compared with a 25 per cent decline in the first half.

Cetma has decided on a five-point programme to bring more customers to the showrooms. These include new technology products, increase in marketing expenses, managing supply chain, providing better value packages to customers and managing product costs.

Vivek Badrinath, managing director of Thomson Consumer Electronics India, said, "The company is looking at launching Internet televisions and set-top boxes by the end of the year."

Gulu Mirchandani, chairman of Mirc Electronics, said, "Television models change like fashion and one need to constantly upgrade the products."