For more information, contact Tom Edwards, NPD INTELECT Market Tracking ñ Video, the below internet contact.
INTELECT DVD Sales Update
Home and portable DVD players are still on track to meet or beat the three million unit sell-through projection for 1999! INTELECT reported sales of 237,100 units for September was better than expected and put the 3,000,000 unit forecast back on track. This brings sell-through sales to slightly under 1.2 million units through the third quarter. We expect October to be in the range of 350,000 units and November and December averaging 750,000 units each month. Reported inventory levels at the end of September are adequate to support the October sales forecast. We've been assured from both manufacturers and retailers that the supply chain is in place to support their own sales projections for the critical Christmas selling season. The only missing component is Mr. or Ms. Shopper. We feel that they are aware of DVD and even though they may not consider it a ""necessity"", they can see a benefit as a personal purchase or a family gift. A key component of the DVD ""sale"" at retail is to move the product from ""commodity"" status to a ""life style"" purchase. DVD sales encourage demand for upgraded television and audio systems. Please remember that this is preliminary data and may change when final reports are issued. INTELECT Video Market Tracking data is based on retail sales and does not include sales for commercial, institutional or rental use.