The art of retailing HDTV is becoming more of a sharp edged business sword with margins evaporating and new market channels threatening to displace the old. If you have any responsibility for the retailing of HDTV you had best get your team to this conference -- the 5th Annual HDTV Conference put on by DisplaySearch. _Dale

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Leading Retailers Discuss Challenges of Selling HDTVs, HD Service, Next-Generation DVD Players and Gaming Platforms at DisplaySearch's 5th Annual HDTV Conference

AUSTIN, TEXAS, September 27, 2007-DisplaySearch unveiled plans for the Retailer Panel at its upcoming 2007 HDTV Conference on October 10-11, 2007 at the Hilton Los Angeles/University City, California. Featuring executives from leading retail outlets, the panel will discuss the CE spending picture for this holiday season, what products are likely to be the best sellers, what has and hasn't worked in selling next generation DVD players, why 1080p TVs have been embraced in retail, and how to maximize attachment and service revenue.

According to DisplaySearch, by the end of 2007 there will be 51M cumulative HDTVs in the US market 26" and larger. However, only 52% are expected to be receiving HD service as consumers remain confused about HD. In fact, Best Buy recently commissioned a study that revealed that 41% of consumers said they understood little to nothing at all about HDTV and that they do not know all the costs associated with creating a full HD experience in their homes. The peripherals, attachments and services associated with creating this experience are critical for retailers to maintain or improve operating margins to offset rapidly falling TV prices. This session will address how retailers are educating their customers to maximize attachment and service revenue while promoting the HD experience.

"We are pleased to have such distinguished panelists for this year's retail outlook session-covering a broad representation of the retail channel. Executives from Amazon and national chain Comp USA will offer their perspective, with the added viewpoint of regional chains and the value-added specialty realm represented by Pro Group and custom specialist AVAD. Our panel of experts, joined by a leading retail financial analyst from Goldman Sachs & Co will address these challenges head-on," noted Stephen Baker, Vice President of Industry Analysis for The NPD Group.

Other topics to be addressed include

How can manufacturers and retailers collaborate to develop better sales displays that deliver the value proposition of HD to the consumer in the store?

How can retailers move from selling products to selling an HD solution to consumers?

Where are attachment rates going for HD peripherals such as HD-DVD and Blu-ray players, HD service and home installation?
As retailers more aggressively expand their service and installation areas, how will this impact pricing and sell-through?
Will the pricing environment be as chaotic as last year and how will retailers respond?

Are there nuances to the HD market (like regional pricing or marketing) that retailers and manufacturers can collaborate on to drive profitable sales?
Panelists include

Moderator: Stephen Baker, Vice President, Industry Analysis, The NPD Group

Noah Herschman, Director of Audio & Video, Amazon.com
Tim Coakley, Vice President, Merchandising Entertainment Division, CompUSA

Dave Workman, Executive Director, Pro Group
Matthew Fassler, Managing Director, Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Bob Gartland, President, AVAD

The event also includes a Universal Studios tram tour and raffle prizes such as a 65" 1080p LCD TV from Syntax-Brillian and a Toshiba HD DVD player.

DisplaySearch's 5th Annual HDTV Conference will be held at the Hilton Los Angeles on October 10-11. For more information about the conference or to register, please visit www.displaysearch.com/hdtv2007.

Posted by Dale Cripps, September 27, 2007 8:45 AM