October Video Sales Soar

Manufacturer to dealer sales of video units rose across the board in October, according to figures issued by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA - formerly CEMA). Total sales reached a staggering 7.2 million units this October, an increase of 31 percent over last October's sales. This incredible sales volume has brought the year-to-date sales figure to 48.5 million units, representing a 22 percent increase over the first ten months of 1998.DVD players accounted for the largest increase in any single category. In the last week of October alone, DVD player sales exceeded 400,000 units (to retailers) - more than the number of units sold in their entire first year of production! Sales of DVD players have continually surpassed CEA estimates throughout the year, as more than 2.9 million units have been shipped in the first ten months alone.CEA President, Gary Shapiro, commented, ""The tremendous growth in DVD sales is due in large part to consumers' increasing interest in digital technologies. We are seeing large numbers of consumers who are interested in digital video products, from DVD to digital camcorders to DTV. This interest is driving consumers into retail outlets, and stimulating growth in all of the video categories.""Camcorders experienced tremendous sales growth in October, increasing by an astounding 37 percent in the month, and bringing year-to-date figures 22 percent ahead of 1998. Close behind were sales of TV/VCR combinations, which also are selling at a fever pitch. Sales of TV/VCR units were up 32 percent in the month, and have reached a year-to-date volume of 3.6 million units - 42 percent ahead of last year.Another figure of note in October was sales of analog direct view televisions. This category, which has remained fairly flat in recent years, jumped by 13 percent in October. Year-to-date sales of televisions now total 18.7 million units, 4 percent ahead of the same period last year. One factor contributing to the increase in this category was an 11 percent growth in sales of large screen (29 inches and higher), direct view televisions.Also astounding this month were sales of VCR decks. This category leapt 30 percent over last October, with sales of 2.8 million units. Year-to-date sales of VCR decks have reached 18.2 million units, an increase of 28 percent over 1998.