CE Retail

More than 150 million U.S. consumers plan to shop on Super Saturday this year, up slightly from 147.8 million in 2019, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Even as the Delta variant leads to a rise in COVID-19 cases, Americans are going on trips again, which is a boon to CE retailers stocked up on headphones, chargers, cameras, cables, and other travel-friendly gadgets.

Despite some Delta-variant blips, people are traveling again. We spoke with Pete Newbould, managing director & SVP of InMotion Stores, and Eden Goldberg, VP of marketing and business development at InMotion Entertainment Group, about the airport retailer’s distinct approach to CE sales, its expansion plans, and how it spent the past year and a half of reduced travel traffic.

Augmented reality can improve the customer experience and create brand awareness, but advancing the technology requires a collaborative approach.

After 36 years of serving the consumer electronics sector, Fry's Electronics is shutting its doors for good. The company has cited "changes in the retail industry" and "challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic" as the reasons behind this decision.

Nationwide Marketing Group added another tool into its diverse resource belt. Myriad Software gives Nationwide dealers access to group-negotiated pricing for Myriad’s PointCentric platform, which helps retailers to track inventory via an easy-to-use, mobile-friendly system.

How airport retailer InMotion made the most of its pandemic-induced “downtime”and emerged in major growth mode.

PreciTaste has created a cost-effective, user-friendly health-check kiosk: the AI Welcome Center. Keeping up with the quick-pace of retail, the Welcome Center is perfect...

Google has partnered with AVB Marketing, the advertising, e-commerce and digital marketing arm of buying group AVB Inc., to share pre-holiday insights on furniture...

Imports reached an all-time high this summer as retail sales bounced back from the pandemic and merchants replenished inventories and stocked up early for the holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

For Retail Apocalypse, March came in like a lion, out like a lamb as omnichannel retailers like Best Buy, Target, Walmart and others leaned into pandemic pivots.

The value of digital price tags for independent retailers grows stronger by the day, and a new program available through GE Appliances (GEA) makes...

The EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan aims to do away with planned obsolescence by encouraging manufacturers to design products that can be repaired and upgraded more easily.

Video & Audio Center has instituted a new department in all five of its stores that highlights the LG OLED TV lineup.

On Episode 6 of Dealerscope’s Insider Talk Series, hosts Nancy Klosek and Tony Monteleone chatted with two representatives from OnPoint Warranty Solutions: Chris Smith,...

DSI has announced a new partnership with Inspire. This partnership will give DSI dealers the opportunity to offer clean energy solutions to their customers...

In this new position, van Kerkvoorde will aim to enable Exertis Ztorm’s partners to drive digital growth towards consumers within gaming and other software products.

It’s no longer just about having a strong e-commerce strategy anymore; it’s about creating an entire digital experience. LG has taken this exact approach with its new DigiTour 3D showroom.

Southern California’s premier independent appliance retailer, Howard’s, announced its acquisition of Midway Home Solutions' operations and assets this week.

How to stay on top of the latest consumer electronics news and reviews? Join the millions who subscribe to the channels of these top creators.

Especially during pandemic times, effective external customer communications must provide a sense of customer empowerment, meaning the customer feels their individual voice is heard; that way, trust is built, and relationships are enriched.

AVB/BrandSource is returning to the Internet for its first major trade event of next year: Summit 2021.

Many different wireless trends and themes will take over throughout the rest of 2021, but three may be the most noticeable and most impactful: expanded 5G connectivity, smart office technology, and the continued rise of artificial intelligence.

One of the most powerful e-commerce tools to gain traction in the past decade is interactive 3D modeling of virtual goods. Here's how to do it right.

The financial services sector of the consumer tech industry has been quick to answer the challenges presented by buying behaviors that have gravitated to ecommerce during the pandemic, with supportive programs geared to online and omnichannel purchases.

Experiential retailing and hybrid experiences are just part of the shopping journey consumers want to take.

Nearly half of TikTok’s user base is making purchases after seeing products advertised on the platform creating a wealth of opportunity for retailers.

This is the first article in a two-part series that looks at the fundamental need, in today’s increasingly online consumer-driven ecosystem, for companies with retail operations to develop and personalize user experience using data, and how management teams can carry that out.

DSI Systems Inc. has just released a new, revamped website - at dsisystemsinc.com - that the company says offers its customers a clean and...

On the heels of its popular 130-inch All-in-One LED display, LG Business Solutions USA has expanded the category with a brand new 136-inch model that is even easier to install and portable when integrated with an optional mobile stand.

Nationwide’s new PriMetrix performance insight platform captures actionable consumer data for independent retailers.

Nationwide Marketing Group's new endless aisle feature lets members on the eXchange eCommerce platform offer new products without on-site inventory requirements

Social pros stress the importance of being selective and knowing when to say goodbye to profiles that no longer serve your brand.

Technological strides in smart and environmentally-friendly packaging are being driven by some of the top minds in CE product design, and for an industry dedicated to positive change, the future does indeed look green!

Joseph Akhtarzad, Co-Owner, Video & Audio Center talks about the company's 40-year history and why he has always made it a priority to "carry the best and sell solutions."

In the first of a three-day complimentary series of 30-minute webinars this week, Google and AVB Marketing offered home furnishings retailers a checklist of digital essentials to remain competitive in a pandemic-impacted marketplace.

Personalizing the customer experience can lead to a 20 to 30 percent bump in lifetime value of a customer across high-priority segments.

Dealerscope’s collection of warranty executive comments this month center around each company’s strategies for 2021 in answer to the challenges and changing market dynamics presented by the ongoing pandemic.

PLANOLY, a social marketing platform trusted by over five million users, has introduced sellit. The new eCommerce solution helps small businesses and influencers turn...

The National Retail Federation welcomed legislation recently introduced that would give small businesses new coronavirus pandemic assistance that could be used to pay expenses...

Nationwide Marketing Group announced that it is partnering with Podium, an interaction management platform that works with more than 65,000 businesses worldwide, to help...

The term “corporate social responsibility” or CSR is one we are seeing tossed around a lot of late. And it is becoming a pretty prevalent one in the retail world. More and more retailers are realizing that giving back doesn’t just make the world a better place, it can also be good for business.

From Shopify's growth to new consumer financing options, GGV Capital Managing Partner Hans Tung shares his thoughts on what's happening with eCommerce today.

Executives from major vendors paint a ‘big picture’ at the "Dealerscope TV Vendor Roundtable" of a red-hot consumer market fueled by the pandemic — and how the momentum is likely to carry into 2022.

CTA's study also found 81% of U.S. adults are more likely or just as likely to purchase tech products this holiday season – the COVID-19 pandemic notwithstanding.

Nationwide Marketing Group has tapped 30-year industry veteran, Mark Pollitz, to serve as the organization's new director of service.

We asked industry experts at NPD, GfK, and Coresight Research for insights on pandemic-era consumer technology usage and behavior. Here are their top takeaways.

BrandSource has formed a National Service Committee comprised of dealers and AVB staff.

Beginning in March, smart home fitness sensation, Tonal, will have a designated space in the women's activewear department of 40 Nordstrom locations across the United States.

In keeping with its "ongoing state of evolution," The Quest Group, parent company of AudioQuest and GoldenEar Technology, has announced key promotions from within its ranks.

Despite broad indications that the economy has begun to recover as businesses reopen from the coronavirus pandemic, conflicting data makes it difficult to say...

Sezzle Inc., Buy Now, Pay Later solutions provider, has announced a partnership with GameStop to provide the world's largest retailer of video games access to its flexible and innovative digital payment solution.

iSpace Environments, a Minneapolis-based commercial furniture and technology dealership, is now using Carousel Digital Signage software to promote its services and amplify its message...

Factor4, LLC, a provider of gift card and loyalty solutions for the SMB market, announces their partnership with AMP, a global provider of POS...

Nationwide is encouraging retailers who have divided their merchandising strategies between in-person showrooms and online sales portals to zero in on honing their digital marketing skills, in this new normal.

The global household cooking appliances market is growing at a steady pace and this is an outcome of multiple trends and drivers that are...

Hiring challenges force employers to finally focus on quality-of-workplace life, health and wellness, and employee incentives. We spoke to Howard's CEO John Riddle about the Southern California retailer's new health and wellness program, which includes yoga and meditation.

Swift, decisive action in spring by all the Scandinavian countries allowed for prosperous summer months.

In our latest Dealerscope postcast, we spoke with Grant LaFontaine, CEO of WhatNot, a livestreaming platform where "anyone can turn into a QVC-style host or Sotheby's-style live auctioneer."

Retail has a future, but what will it look like? How can retailers benefit from changing consumer behaviors? Why do digital shoppers still visit...

Warehouse robots are taking over retail distribution and fulfillment centers. What happens to human jobs when robots start doing them faster and more precisely?

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has announced its annual exposition and conference will take place in-person at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New...

Nationwide peer groups provide networking support and exclusive training opportunities to members who service appliances.

Nationwide Marketing Group publishes year-long survey targeted at independent retailers to capture their confidence as business owners in the CE retail space.

Most discussions about customer experience deal with things that happen after the purchasing decision has been made, but the actual experience starts long before...

Curacao stores agreed to pay $10.5 million to settle a lawsuit by the California attorney general's office, which alleged that the retailer defrauded its customers with deceptive advertising and illegal financing.

Microsoft Corp. has announced a strategic change in its retail operations, including closing Microsoft Store physical locations. The company’s retail team members will continue...

Having a smart eCommerce stategy has never been more important. Here are nine tips for enriching your online product content and digital showroom to drive success today.

RowOne also announces substantial progress with HTSA, the AiN Group and AVB/BrandSource CE/CI channel dealers since the brand’s relaunch just six months ago, and RowOne makes a strong case for the title of ‘The Most Successful CE/CI Vendor Brand Launch of the Pandemic Year.'

Virtual tours can be a powerful branding tool, but they aren’t something retailers always consider in their marketing efforts. A research study conducted by the International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management in May 2020 found that virtual tours enhanced store equity and promoted store visit intentions. 

IFA Berlin and Tech Up For Women recently hosted a webinar exploring strategies for advancing innovation as part of the International Tech Up Talks series.

Distributor Stampede has announced that its operations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America are rebranding as Exertis.  According to President & CEO Kevin...

Retail sales continued to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in July, growing more slowly than the month before but adding to...

As vaccination levels rise and COVID case counts drop, in the U.S. at least, consumers are heading back to stores. It turns out people need to be out among other people, even other shoppers.

Consumer behavior now more of a moving target than ever.

O’Halloran, who spent the past year in the field for Nationwide Marketing Group, will work with vendor partners to evolve the group’s premium and luxury appliance offerings.

Organized retail crime is continuing to grow, with the number of dollars lost topping a key threshold for the fifth year in a row and three-quarters of retail companies that have been victims saying activity is up.

Having a sound and strong social media strategy can go a long way toward helping a small business stand out – both in its...

21st Century Distributing, the premier consumer electronics distributor serving the Southeast and PowerHouse Alliance member, announces the grand opening of its new location in...

As Millennials start turning 40 this year, this disruption is understood and accounted for in brand strategies – leading the next question to be, are brands and marketers better prepared for Gen Z? 

CTA research shows that from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, 86% of U.S. shoppers plan to buy tech devices, accessories and/or streaming services.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has issued the following statement encouraging all retailers to adopt a nationwide policy that requires customers to wear face...

Robert Zohn, President and Founder of Value Electronics, gives Dealerscope an update on his business and what he is most excited about this year.

This Wednesday, March 31 at 1 p.m. EST, Dealerscope will welcome Jonathan Elster, CEO of Next Level Distribution, for an episode of Insider Talk hosted lived on Dealerscope's Facebook page. The trio will discuss the recent changes and exciting new developments happening now at Next Level Distribution.

Email has a place in your marketing strategy. It is the most common and cheapest way to keep in touch with prospects and customers. But it’s also a low-impact channel. People see it in their inboxes and maybe read 1 out of 10 messages you send them.

Nationwide Marketing Group has announced that it is converting PrimeTime &ndndash; the industry’s largest buying, training and networking opportunity for independent retailers and vendors...

Everywhere from warehouses to in-store, the race to automate shopping infrastructure is heating up, but consumer electronics retailers aren't leading the pack.

Which top retailers experienced the most growth in CE sales since 2016? We dove into our 2020 Top 101 Retailers list to find out.

The customer support industry must focus on developing new approaches that increase agents' mastery of emerging technologies to be ready to serve these new early adopters.

Kwikset, a residential lock manufacturer, has introduced a new “COVID-19 Dealer Support Program.” Created to provide actionable and relevant support, the program includes specific...

RC Willey’s Hymas returns to the position he held at the buying group after a three-year sabbatical, taking the reins from PC Richard & Son’s Gregg Richard.

Even with post-pandemic in-store foot traffic up, retailers continue to shift the traditional Black Friday focus to Cyber Monday and onsales.

Dealerscope’s Insider Talk series, as part of Facebook Live, recently welcomed David Pidgeon, president and CEO of Dallas-based A/V retailer Starpower – a company that has grown into one of the country’s largest custom home electronics retailers.

New advancements in geofencing now allow you to target shoppers visiting your competitors’ brick-and-mortar locations in real time.

Leon Temiz, CEO, Electronics Expo details his store's history, the top three things he's done that contributed to his company's success, and what makes Electronics Expo different from other retailers in the consumer electronics space.

The economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic has officially been declared a recession, but National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said...

The webinar outlined a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering members’ e-commerce and digital marketing skills during the pandemic.

This pandemic has obviously done a ton of damage to retailers the world over, but one of the few silver linings might wind up...

For our latest Retail on the Run interview, we spoke with David Pidgeon, the Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Dallas's Starpower, about what has made his company such a leader in specialty audio-video retail and custom installation.

Aaron Sholtis, Founder & President of HiDEF Lifestyle in Harrisburg, PA gives us an inside look at his showroom and tells us what makes his retail business unique from others.

The NRF Foundation recently launched two new credentials in its RISE Up program in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The credentials focus on Retail Operations and Customer Conflict Prevention to further ensure retail workers — and the millions of customers they serve — can work and shop more safely and help keep the economy open.

Nationwide Marketing Group returns to live events on May 25th with the Regional Member Meeting in Dallas, NWG's first in-person gathering since February 2020.

Nationwide Marketing Group, reportedly the largest buying group in the industry, which provides marketing and business support for retailers, and CEDIA, long known for its strength in training the residential integration industry, are joining together. This partnership will provide Home Technology Specialists Nationwide (HTSN) dealers access to a well-rounded education platform.

COVID-19 has most certainly challenged Australia’s retail industry, but it has also provided opportunities and lessons in new ways to meet customer demand. IBIS explains that despite the pandemic, the retail industry remained the third biggest industry in the country in 2020.

CE and 12V premium products distributor Audio America has announced it will now be operating under the company name Next Level Distribution, LLC.

CT Lab's Black Leaders in Consumer Tech Awards shines a special spotlight on nine African-American leaders in the CT space who are driving the industry forward.

Last week in Nashville, we sat down for an in-depth interview with members of BrandSource's senior management; they discussed the buying group's new tools HR Source and The Hub, as well as how they're handling everything from omnichannel acceleration to inventory shortages.

Forecasts for 2021 see e-commerce sales continuing to rise in both North America and Europe.

Instacart, the North American online grocery delivery service, has announced a new nationwide partnership with Best Buy to offer same-day delivery from nearly all Best Buy locations across the U.S.

An NPD report says the majority of U.S. consumers are aware of 5G and the promise of super-fast data transmissions that enable superior multimedia streaming and enhanced gaming experiences on mobile devices.

Easy to install, Optoma's new130-inch FHDS130 SOLO LED display is designed for boardrooms, classrooms, houses of worship, retail, and hospitality.

The National Retail Federation issued a statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay in response to the recent Congressional passage of the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020.

Technological innovations like AI-driven robotic cameras and programmable control interfaces have made it possible to achieve broadcast-quality productions with a lean team.

Howard’s, one of Southern California’s largest independent appliance retailers, welcomed William Joowan Cho, Chief Strategy Officer Globally for LG Electronics, at the company’s Long Beach Experience Center to exhibit the manner in which LG products are displayed.

Almo Professional A/V has announced a new distribution partnership with digital signage solutions company SpinetiX.

“The Full Stack” hour-long marketing and technology forum will unveil a host of innovations to enhance the online shopping experience.

In this Retail on the Run feature, Editor in Chief, Tom Samilijan, sits down with Howard's CEO John Riddle on the 75th anniversary of the first store opening.

Bringing retail into the digital age requires more than just a website; it also needs thoughtful and precise data tools championed by the right leadership

D&H Distributing, a provider of consumer, home networking, and SMB technologies to the North American channel, has announced it has seen double-digit growth in retail sales in 2020.

ProSource has added 10 new CI members in the third quarter, representing $55.1 million in new revenue, year to date.

Doddle, an international e-commerce solutions provider that designs, develops and integrates consumer fulfillment and returns technology, announces that it has launched a free Digital...

The pandemic has permanently shifted consumer buying habits toward ecommerce, causing unprecedented demand for flexible customer support services.

Powered audio products and mounting solutions provider Kanto Living has appointed Gemsen Distribution in Concord, Ontario, to serve the independent retail and custom integration...

Nationwide Marketing Group's partnership with B2B technology service provider TBI gives members access to business critical services with major savings opportunities.

The most recent findings from an ongoing IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) survey of U.S. consumers show that Americans remain concerned about returning...

The Catalyst AV distribution network of nine independent CE distributors serving the residential and pro AV channels, and The Edge Group, a distributor-owned buying...

Extended warranty provider Allstate Protection Plans has just announced the availability of Allstate Protection Plans Express, designed to enable both brick-and-mortar and ecommerce consumer technology retailers of any size streamlined access to Allstate protection programs.

The effects on customer behavior that have been learned over the course of the last year are unlikely to be unlearned overnight – and some changes that went into effect during the pandemic period may not go away at all.

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc., has announced the launch of an innovation to the outlet shopping experience, a virtual shopping concierge service that gives...

New data from GfK confirmed a global gaming sales boom. Gaming-related hardware consistently outsold the elevated performances of non-gaming hardware in 2020.

Purchasing gifts for friends and loved ones is a way for consumers to shift focus from the uncertainty and stress of the pandemic to celebrating the holidays and the promise of our return to a better tomorrow.

Jerry Satoren, Executive Director, NATM, provides Dealerscope with a look at the group’s annual Member Conference, which just took place in virtual format, and looks at business as it is and as it is shaping up for 2021.

The first-ever Toy Fair Everywhere virtual market week, hosted by The Toy Association, will kick off next Monday, July 13 and and run through...

You’ve dealt with a global pandemic, the subsequent weakening of the economy and a tumultuous presidential election. Other than that, it has been a very routine, kinda quiet year.

With retail sales rebounding strongly due to continued consumer resilience, the National Retail Federation has forecast that holiday sales during November and December will increase between 3.6 percent and 5.2 percent over 2019 to a total between $755.3 billion and $766.7 billion.

Meeting customer expectations during a pandemic requires flexibility in mindset and cross-functional cooperation to deliver uninterrupted service in a fast-changing environment.

“We don’t look at selling a product, we look at selling a solution,” said New Age Electronics' President, Fred Towns when asked what makes...

OnQ, engineer and manufacturer of custom retail displays, and supermarket chain, Fred Meyer, have expanded their partnership to improve customer experiences throughout Fred Meyer's network of retail stores across the western United States.

D&H’s subject matter experts leverage real-world expertise to help partners win new opportunities in pro AV, eSports, remote learning, and security.

Executives from the major CE and appliance distributors tell how COVID-19 has brought their dealer service strategies into even sharper focus to address new and more pressing needs in 2021.

Former Chief Merchandising Officer Carrie Smith is returning to the company’s senior leadership team in a new, expanded role.

Kevan Morris, CE industry veteran and Executive Vice President, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. passed away on Saturday, June 26, 2021.

MetraAV has entered into a new partnership with Evolution Home Entertainment Corporation to serve as the company's master distributor in Canada. Now, MetraAV and its entire family of brands will be available to more than 500 of Evolution’s dealers and retailers throughout Canada.

Bosch unveils its offerings related to AIoT, health & wellness, climate action and mobility at CES 2021.

A new agreement between iRoom, a global Apple-certified manufacturer of iPad docking and smart control solutions, and D-Tools, Inc. will provide dealers access to the full iRoom iO product catalog, along with dealer-specific pricing, to help them increase productivity and improve their bottom line.

Because Clubhouse is still so new, it is not yet saturated with an abundance of ads, sponsorships, and influencers, but that time could be coming soon. Get in early, establish yourself and your brand, and you might just see some significant results.

Amazon Pay has announced the launch of “Smart Stores”; customers simply scan the store’s QR code using the Amazon app to begin exploring the...

Three-day virtual Nationwide Virtual PrimeTime business conference promises to deliver the same world-class education, deals and networking opportunities that retailers have come to expect from PrimeTime — and a chance to win a $100K store makeover.

Over the past year, Twitter has introduced elements of exclusivity and opportunities to monetize content on its platform.