Black Friday electronics profits down from 2008

Sales of consumer electronics during Black Friday were lower than in 2008, according to point-of-sale numbers compiled by market research company, the NPD Group. The total revenue for the day of just over $2.7 billion represents a 1.2 percent drop compared to the revenue from 2008, but the drop compares favorably to the 3.4 percent decline suffered from 2007 to 2008.

Some categories of electronics have enjoyed much higher growth than in the past. This includes computers and TVs, sales of both of which have been strong in 2009. Computer sales rose by 63 percent compared to 2008, which the NPD Group attributes to the release of lowered prices, the release of new operating systems and new form factors. The average prices of notebooks fell to $500, or a decrease of $160.

While the sales of flat panel TVs jumped 15 percent, big price cuts resulted in revenue that was lower by 9 percent. The average sale price of a flat panel TV was $535, or 20 percent lower than in 2008.

In other categories, camcorder sales rose by 55 percent, Blu-ray players sold 53 percent more units and computer hard drive sales saw a 33 percent increase. GPS device sales saw a 15 percent bump in sales, whereas point-and-shoot digital cameras and multi-function printers did not see a change from last year.

By Electronista Staff