Dealerscope DigiMag December 2022

DELIVERING UNBOXING A BEYOND WHAT TO EXPECT
EXPERIENCE, KID’S ROBOT INFLATION AT CES 2023
DRIVING SALES

December 2022 | Vol. 64 No. 12 | www.dealerscope.com

THE

GAINS
AND
LOSSES

OF 2022

Convert more leads. Drive higher revenue.
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DELIVERING UNBOXING A BEYOND WHAT TO EXPECT
EXPERIENCE, KID’S ROBOT INFLATION AT CES 2023
DRIVING SALES

December 2022 | Vol. 64 No. 12 | www.dealerscope.com

THE

GAINS
AND
LOSSES

OF 2022

The Rise of Home
Automation and Robotics

Smash Boundaries
With TD SYNNEX’s
New Age Electronics
Solutions.

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© 2022 TD SYNNEX Corporation. All rights reserved. TD SYNNEX, the TD SYNNEX Logo, TECH DATA, the TD Logo, SYNNEX,
and the SYNNEX Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TD SYNNEX Corporation. Westcon, Comstor and GoldSeal are
registered trademarks of WG Service Inc., used under license. Other names and marks are the property of their respective owners.

PULSE | A WORD FROM OUR PUBLISHER

PAVING As we approach the end of 2022, all I can think of is gratitude this year. I am grateful
THE PATH that we have started seeing each other again in person, that trade shows are com-
TO 2023 ing back, and that there is this push to be “kind” to our fellow neighbor.

WITH I am also thankful for our CT Lab team that works hard to drive useful content for you,
GRATITUDE! our readers. Dealerscope would not exist, but for our excellent staff and contributors —

and you.

In our December issue, we examine the future of CE and Appliances, as we are
all interested in “what’s next.” And while we celebrate the holidays, we look
forward to our upcoming travel to Las Vegas and to CES, where we will once
again see innovation in its best forms. Make sure to read our CES preview with
CTA, so you will be ready. I am very excited to be going — and soon, to be seeing
many of you.

We also look in this issue at the gains and losses of 2022, and where inflation will lead
our industry in 2023. We speak to the Powerhouse Alliance as they predict the coming
year. We also review cryptocurrency, and how it will affect us, and provide some cover-
age on smart tags, accessibility and data.

On the product side, we talk about the latest in e-mobility, we have an interview with
Be-Bop Sensors, unbox the great AI Learning Robot for kids - MIKO, and look at the
projector underdogs and how they will rise. It all adds up to a bundle of great industry
coverage, as we enter 2023.

As you celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of the new, make sure you tell
your chosen or biological family what they mean to you. We are so blessed to be in a
great industry, to have all that we need, and to be able to laugh.

As always, if you ever need anything, I want to hear from you at tmonteleone@ctlab.
media.
 
Have wonderful holiday season, and wishing you all my best for a prosperous New Year!

Tony Monteleone,
Group Publisher of CT Lab Global Media

| DECEMBER 2022 | 5

contents DECEMBER 2022
VOL. 64 | NO. 12

26-31

GAINS AND LOSSES
OF 2022

The good, the bad and the ugly
from this year’s industry

03 PULSE 16 SPONSORED CONTENT 37 E-COMMERCE

Publisher’s Letter: Snap One local partner stores help industry When Accessibility Becomes Second Nature
Paving the Path to 2023 with Gratitude! partners sidestep shipping hassles
40 TRADE SHOWS
08 VOICES 17 MOBILITY
What to Expect at CES 2023
Accepting the Past, Embracing the Future Deciphering the Biden Administration’s New Bill
Targeting the EV Industry 43 GADGETS
09 RETAIL RUMBLINGS
18 CORPORATE PROFILES Smart Tag Adoption – Common or Controversial?
News From the CE Sector
32 BUSINESS 46 SOCIAL MEDIA
10 VIDEO
Delivering Experience, Driving Sales Tech Gifts For Social Media Content Creators 
The Underdog of Projectors Rises Up
34 CRYPTOCURRENCY 48 UNBOXED
13 ROBOTICS
Ideas From Across the Pond Meet Miko 3: An Educational Robot for Kids
The Far-Reaching Impact of RoboSkin Technology
32 RETAIL 50 STAT SHOT
15 DATA
What Inflation Means for Retailers The CE Industry By the Numbers
What’s Popular and What’s Not in Gaming Tech
Images: iStock

Dealerscope, December, Volume 64, Number 12, (US ISSN 1534-4711) (USPS 0447-690) is published nine times a year by CT Lab Global Media LLC, 100 S Juniper St, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA
19107, 718-216-2046. Periodicals postage paid at Philadelphia, PA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CT Lab Global Media, PO BOX 1322 Lowell, MA 01853.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Free to qualified recipients. All others, U.S. 1 year $85, Canada/Mexico one year $115. All other countries, one-year air mail $140. Back issues and single copies when available,
mailed by publisher for $10 Each. Authorization to photocopy articles for internal corporate, personal or instructional use may be obtained from Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) or call 978-646-
2600. Articles may not be reprinted without publisher’s permission. For Reprint information, contact Tony Monteleone, [email protected], 718-216-2046. All rights are strictly reserved,
and reproduction in whole or in part is expressly prohibited without prior written permission from the publisher. Copyright 2022. Printed in the U.S.A. Byline contributor’s views should not be
construed as representing the opinion of the publisher.
6 | DECEMBER 2022 |

website
contents

FOLLOW BREAKING INDUSTRY NEWS
EVERY DAY AT DEALERSCOPE.COM

Jerry Satoren announced his retirement after more The easing The FDA
than eight years at the helm of the NATM Buying of pressure allows
Corporation. on the sup- adults

Businesses ply chain with hear-
installing EV is due in ing loss
charging sta- large part to a decrease to purchase assistive
tions outside in demand for physical
devices over the counter.
of their goods.
stores should think about

the high demand fees.

The vice Howard’s IKEA CEO
president 7th new Jesper Brodin
and general experience announced that
manager of center is the company
Stadia, Phil the latest will have all
Harrison, announced the push in the company’s cur- home deliveries made by
winding down of Stadia in rent expansion plan. electric vehicles by 2025.
early 2023.

The Jim Mayo Learn
metaverse’s from tactics CE
retailers can
effort has Samsung use to sell
been hurt talks about tech effi-
by “glitchy CEDIA 2022 ciently through consumers
technology” and users lack
and what Samsung has emotions.
the motivation to learn brought to the show floor.
about the technology.

The Steam TCL GET ALL CE INDUSTRY NEWS
Deck can joins the ON DEALERSCOPE.COM
play PC metaverse No QR code reader on your
games, on Roblox smartphone yet? No problem:
stream and the Try the QR Code Reader, which
gameplay online and is company announces its is available for Android and iOS
travel friendly. arrival through a special phones. Download it on your app
store of choice, follow the set-
Connected TV Halloween campaign. up instructions, and aim away at
Projectors each QR code in this issue.
Web Categories: Streaming Media eGaming Wearables
Speakers Monitors Travel Electronics Digital Cameras Digital Signage
Headphones/Earbuds Accessories Robotics Personal Computers Kiosks
Soundbars Appliances Mobile/Connected Car Tech Technology/Services Training
Receivers Digital Health & Wellness Smartphones Artificial Intelligence Consumer Marketing
Voice Control Smart Apparel Augmented Reality Omnichannel Marketing
Telecommunications iHealth Virtual Reality
| DECEMBER 2022 | 7

Convert more leads.

Drive higher revenue.

Deliver greater
customer satisfaction.

ChatterBox live chat is designed to help retailers transform
shoppers into customers using real-time digital conversations.
So you can meet them wherever they are in the shopper journey
and, ultimately, close more sales from online leads.

ChatterBox live chat gives you:

• No hidden fees: Get unlimited use, flat-rate pricing, with no
surprise charges.

• Unlimited access: With ChatterBox, there’s no user limits and no
more sharing accounts!

• Flexibility: Enjoy seamless transitions between web chat, text and
live video conversation.

• Customization: Select the colors you want to match ChatterBox
to your website design – for free.

To learn more, visit
NationwideGroup.org/ChatterBox.

DECEMBER VOICES | FROM OUR EDITOR IN CHIEF

ACCEPTING Does anyone else feel like they are on a slowing rollercoaster,
THE PAST, gasping for breath and still gripping the handlebar? That’s how coming to a
stop in the holiday season has been feeling around here. All the in-person
EMBRACING events — as fun and effective as they are — can be a lot after they are back
THE FUTURE to back and you start to recognize the TSA officers at your airport. Along
with staying home for a few weeks, the product launches and press confer-
ences in conjunction with these events are taking a momentary pause too.
But it’s just a breath before the big push for CES starts, and we
can’t wait to get going. As you will see in our interview with the CTA’s John
Kelley, CES is projected to have about 2,000 exhibitors and is tracking to
meet or exceed 100,000 attendees. With CE’s biggest in consumer tech in
venues and conferences across the city of Las Vegas, the show will feel
nearly like pre-pandemic times (unless you join digitally).
This issue reflects on that excitement. In our cover story about
the gains and losses of 2022, we look back at how the industry has grown
and improved despite challenging circumstances, as well as the ways we’ve
failed. While we can’t change the past, we can change how businesses are
run, how supply chain difficulties are overcome and how retail can keep up
with constantly changing demand.
We’re looking ahead too in this issue, to learn how retailers can
thrive in inflated times. Also be sure to check out our insights on the expand-
ing e-mobility market. Plus, experts weigh in on what 2023 might look like
for consumer tech and retail, and what might be the hot new home theater
product.
And just in time for the holidays, check out the back of book for a
fun unboxing of Miko 3, a robot for children. I’m the only editor with a kid to
test products on, but my toddler is not the ideal age to use a children’s robot.
But I think you — especially if you are a parent too surviving the holidays
with young ones — will both laugh and learn at my experience.
As always, thank you for reading Dealerscope magazine.

10 | DECEMBER 2022 |

RETAIL Freight Companies Report
RUMBLINGS Weakening Demand During
Holiday Seasont | In another
NEWS FROM THE CE SECTOR sign of weakening de-
THE LATEST RETAIL TECHNOLOGY mand, freight companies are
reporting a significant decrease
in business in Q4, a season that is typically the
busiest of the year. At the moment, the spot rate
for shipping goods sits at $1.83 per mile down from
nearly $2.7 in January of 2022, according to DAT
Solutions. By comparison, the contract rate, which
is set up in advance is currently sitting at $2.47
per mile. 

SCAN QR CODE Apple Looks to Decarbonize Global
TO READ ALL CE Supply Chain | Apple is requiring
INDUSTRY NEWS ON all of its 200 major manufacturing
DEALERSCOPE.COM partners to decarbonize opera-
tions pertaining to the production
No QR code reader on your smartphone yet? No of Apple devices. These measures
problem: Try the QR Code Reader, which is available also call on manufacturers to fuel their Apple-related
for Android and iOS phones. Download it on your app operations with 100 percent renewable energy. To
store of choice, follow the set-up instructions, and ensure that the goal of a carbon-neutral ecosystem
aim away at each QR code in this issue. will be achieved by 2030, Apple has set up a task force
to “track and audit annual progress” among global sup-
pliers, according to a company announcement. 

Laser-Powered Chip Opens
New Internet Frontier | A team

of Scandinavian research-
ers has made a potentially
groundbreaking discovery
for the future of the internet.

The research team was able to transmit 1.84
petabytes of data per second using a single laser-
powered chip. By comparison, the internet sends

roughly 1 petabyte of data per second. Not only
does this chip have the power to vastly increase
internet speeds and computing power if commer-
cialized, but it will also drastically decrease the

amount of energy used to power the internet.

The EU to Ban Gas-Powered Car Container Imports Plummet in
Sales by 2035 | EU lawmakers Back-Half of 2022 
reached an agreement with the | After reaching all-time highs
governing body’s 27 member in May, container imports have
states to reduce emissions from dropped the same-month levels
new vans and cars by 100 percent recorded in 2021 and 2020. The 2.2
by 2035. The ambitious plan is part of the EU’s “Fit for million monthly container imports remain just slightly
55” package and will effectively ban the sale of gas- higher than pre-pandemic levels. This decline in
powered vehicles. This is an aggressive step towards imports is not likely to let up anytime soon. U.S. News
a shifting mobility landscape and will likely put a lot of quotes shipping consultant Jon Monroe: “Warehouses
pressure on the United States to follow suit. are full. Until importers clear their inventory, expect
overseas orders to be weak,”

SCAN EACH QR CODE ON THIS PAGE TO ACCESS THE
ORIGINAL NEWS STORIES ON DEALERSCOPE.COM

| DECEMBER 2022 | 11

FEATURE | VIDEO

Wemax Nova Smart Projector

The Wemax Nova checks all the top boxes for the modern projector.
Its 4K resolution is welcome, and its ultra short throw (UST) capability
lets it slot easily into nearly any viewing situation. Unlike most projectors
in its price range, the Nova uses laser-phosphor technology to produce its im-
ages; not only does this mean superlative image quality, but unlike traditional
bulb-based projectors (which require changing the bulb when it burns out), the
laser-phosphor light is meant to last the life of the projector —roughly 25,000
hours in View mode. The Nova’s 2,100 ANSI lumens are bright enough to light up a
100-in.-plus screen even with some ambient light, and it runs on Android TV 9.0,
with Chromecast built-in and Wi-Fi 5 wireless connectivity. Finally, the built-in
Dolby audio and DTS-HD sound system (two 10-watt full-range speakers, plus two
5-watt tweeters) delivers solid, room-filling audio. As a bonus, the Nova can be
used in audio-only mode as a (albeit very fancy) Bluetooth speaker.
12 | DECEMBER 2022 |

THE UNDERDOG

OF PROJECTORS

RISES UP The best and brightest short
throw projectors to date

BY EGON SANDERS

While television panel technology has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, so too has
the tech behind the under-sung projector. The category has seen costs come down dramati-
cally, while accessibility has improved equally so: modern projectors are easier to set up, more
portable and produce better images than ever before. Of particular note is what’s referred to as “short
throw” projectors, whereby the distance required between the screen and the projector to achieve a big,
bright image is shortened; “ultra short throw” projectors essentially project straight upwards, so the pro-
jector can be placed on the same stand where one would typically place their television. We’ve gathered
some of the best and the brightest short throw projectors out there — which, fortunately, don’t require
rearranging the living room.

| DECEMBER 2022 | 13

FEATURE | VIDEO

ViewSonic X2  the shadows and highlights, with a native contrast VAVA 4K UHD Laser
ratio of 3000:1 and 2000 ANSI lumens output. The Ultra Short Throw Projector
Using the latest solid-state LED technology, View- PE-LT002 runs Android 9.0, and its combination of
Sonic’s X2 projector can hit up to 3,100 lumens with 60Hz refresh rate and an input lag of 50 millisec- While Vava’s projector lacks the brand recognition
its crisp 1080p images. The LED light source doesn’t onds make it very usable for big screen console of some of its big-name rivals, it’s a solid contender
require changing bulbs and can provide more than gaming. MEMC motion smoothing helps to sharpen in the small niche of 4K ultra-short-throw laser
30,000 hours of use — all while consuming less up fast-moving scenes in movies and games, and projectors. It uses Texas Instruments’ 4K DLP tech
than half the power of a typical LCD television. the well-designed housing is also home to an and fires out 2500 ANSI lumens along with an
The X2 also makes use of ViewSonic’s Cinema integrated 50-watt sound system, with support for impressive 3000:1 ANSI contrast ratio, at screen
SuperColor+ technology for vivid and lifelike colors, Dolby Audio and DTS HD decoding. Eight-point key- sizes up to 150 inches from just a few feet away.
as well as HDR10 decoding for improved visibility stone correction combines with electronic focus HDR10 support is a nice inclusion, and the projector
in highlights and shadows. With Harman Kardon for easy setup, and motion sensors dim the light comes with a 60W Harman Kardon stereo soundbar
speakers onboard and Bluetooth connectivity, the source when someone approaches the projector to built-in, along with support for Dolby audio and
X2 can be used as a Bluetooth speaker — or even prevent eye damage. DTS-HD, making it easily one of the best-sounding
output audio from the projector to a Bluetooth projectors out there.
headset, for watching movies without disturbing BenQ’s TK700STi
the peace of the living room. Samsung LSP9T 
BenQ’s TK700STi is billed as a gaming projector,
Paris Rhône 4K Laser Projector combining crisp 4K images and HDR support with As one of the biggest TV manufacturers on
a low-latency, 60Hz refresh rate. The input lag of the planet, Samsung pulls no punches with its
Household appliance mainstay Paris Rhône is 16.66 milliseconds makes it faster than the vast ultra-short-throw LSP9T projector — so much so,
breaking into the home entertainment space with majority of projectors on the market (it’s the same in fact, that it’s officially part of the company’s
its PE-LT002 projector, a 4K UHD ultra-short-throw latency in both 4K and 1080p); at just 6.8 pounds “Lifestyle TV” series. Using separate red, green and
laser projector. Thanks to the UST lens, the projec- and with a small footprint, it’s also portable enough blue lasers it’s a rare breed indeed, outputting an
tor produces an 80-diagonal-in. image from just 5.4 to bring to gaming events or even informal gather- impressive 2800 lumens and a 1500:1 ANSI contrast
inches away from the wall or screen — or up to 150 ings. Game mode lets players adjust details of the ratio. It’s also worth noting that the LSP9T is one of
diagonal inches from 18.8 inches away. The projec- image, audio and latency depending on the game: the first projectors on the market rated for HDR10+,
tor is built around the ALPD 3.0 light engine and First-Person Shooter mode enhances detail in which is essentially Samsung’s own version of
can handle HDR10 content for impressive detail in shadows to make spotting enemies easier, Role- Dolby Vision. On the sound front, the LSP9T delivers
Playing Game (RPG) mode employs “cinematic 40 watts of audio using Samsung’s Acoustic Beam
color” and enhanced music quality, while Sports technology and runs its entertainment suite on the
Player Game (SPG) mode increases color accuracy company’s own Tizen-powered Smart TV platform.
around uniforms and skin tones. Of course, the
projector can also handle movies and TV with ease:
it runs Android TV 9.0 for its full suite of entertain-
ment options, via a BenQ dongle that plugs into an
HDMI port in a hidden compartment. 

14 | DECEMBER 2022 |

FEATURE | ROBOTS

THE FAR-
REACHING
IMPACT OF
ROBOSKIN
TECHNOLOGY

How a smart sensor could impact time, McMillen had no idea that this tech development would lead him down the
sports, labor and more path of robotics.

BY ALEC PAIGE “We were approached by an exoskeleton company to make sensors for the
soles of their exos, and I said, ‘Well, that sounds interesting,’ so we started that.”
Robotics is a field that has experienced a number of technological develop- McMillen went on to say that BeBop Sensors was founded once they realized
ments in recent years. Automated machines have begun to replace hu- the demand was there for this kind of product. Throughout the years, BeBop has
mans in a number of work forces, ranging from warehouses to automobile developed a number of different sensor-based technologies, but McMillen has
plants. But those machines are just that: machines. They are made up of parts always been fascinated by potential applications in the robotics field. “I knew the
that come together to perform a specific, programmed duty, and most do not time would come,” he said. “Technology has a way of sneaking up on you. All the
have the capability to respond to their surroundings. At BeBop Sensors, highly sudden, it’s working. And we’re at that corner — that need for humanoid robotics.”
sensitive technologies have been developed that could allow such responses in
robotic machinery, on top of a number of other use cases. Keith McMillen, the BeBop’s venture into the robotics space resulted in the company’s new RoboSkin
founder of Bebop Sensors, sat down for an interview where we discussed the technology, which is just what it sounds like: skin for robots. One of the largest
company’s founding and its sensor technologies. projects the company has undertaken had to do with robotic hands, and Bebop
was responsible for creating highly sensitive “skin” that is lined with sensors al-
McMillen didn’t have robotics in mind when he first began developing these lowing for testing and data collection.
sensor-based technologies. He had toured as a musician for several years, using
equipment with tech that wasn’t quite up to his standards. “The sensors had to be better than human skin,” McMillen said. The “skin” sensor

“I needed a new sensor because none of the sensors that were out there provided | DECEMBER 2022 | 15
what I needed, which was reliability, huge dynamic range, low cost and ease of
use,” McMillen. After experimentation with technical fabrics, his music company
that he worked for at the time began shipping units — and still do today. At the

CFOEALTUUMRNE||ARUODBIOTS “By putting this data-
collecting skin on
technology has special resolution finer than human skin with force sensing rang- shoulder pads, the
ing from a few grams to fifty kilograms per sensor; each robotic finger has eighty force in which rugby
sensors in total. But this advanced sensor technology expands beyond robotic players slammed into
hands. could be analyzed. We
The application for this tech can span industries, particularly the sporting also make insoles that
industry. In one instance, by putting this data-collecting skin on shoulder pads, produce data that can
the force in which rugby players slammed into could be analyzed. McMillen also be used to understand
touched on another instance when sensors were placed inside a football for the health and well-
inspection of a quarterback’s grip. The application of these sensors could lead ness of the person
to intricate real-time sensor-based information displays during a sports event. wearing them.”
Outside of sports, the sensors have been used for data collection in motorcycle
helmets, and BeBop has even delved into sensors for data gloves that are used in
virtual and augmented reality settings.
When asked what human benefit the sporting data provides, McMillen replied
with, “None whatsoever. Pure entertainment. People want to see brutal action,
and this reports on impacts and who’s working the hardest.” But on other fronts,
the data collection can be highly beneficial to people’s physical health.
“We also make insoles that produce data that can be used to understand the
health and wellness of the person wearing them,” McMillen said, going on to
reference a company that BeBop partners with that has half a million warehouse
woBrYkeMrsIK. “EWKitOhBoRuINr insoles we can tell if they’re lifting properly and if they’re
fatigued.”
It’s impossible to say where this advanced sensor technology could be applied in
the future due to the vast amount of possible use cases that it has, but it’s safe
to say that it will become widespread, as automation and robotics industries are
expanding with each passing year.
“The cooperation of computers and machines will continue to find new areas of
technology and exploration,” said McMillen.

16 | DECEMBER 2022 |

FEATURE | DATA

WHAT THE Product Category
NUMBERS
SAY ON Movement

from Q3 to Q4

2021–2022: Audio & Video Consoles/Etenders

-38%

GAMING TECH Display Enclosures Desktop Computers

An immersive data study shows what’s 39% -30%
popular and what’s not

COMPILED BY GFK ETILIZE

Methodology: More than 443 million im- Gaming Controller Accessories
pressions of e-commerce product content
were reviewed to determine trends. GfK 227%
records image impressions from a large
group of channel partners — primarily in Gaming Controllers
North America — made up of resellers, dis-
tributors, government and corporate users Graphic Cards 2%
of product catalogs displaying GfK-stored
product content. GfK records an image im- 40% Handheld Game Consoles
pression when a third-party user requests
a product data page (PDP) that contains -5%
the primary image of a product. Rules are
applied to prevent the same user’s shop- Headphones/Earphones
ping journey from being counted more
than once. From image impressions, GfK Headsets/Earsets -19%
can determine the product identification,
category, city, country and other differenti-
ating data.

-16% Monitors

Headset/Headphone Add-Ons -5%

-15% Multimedia Speakers

-24%

| DECEMBER 2022 | 17

SPONSORED CONTENT SNAP ONE LOCAL PARTNER

Inspiring Education and Collaboration STORES HELP INDUSTRY

Snap One offers other incentives to drive traffic PARTNERS SIDESTEP
to its Local Partner Stores. It’s not unusual to find
a food truck parked outside a facility or fellow SHIPPING HASSLES BY LISA MONTGOMERY
Partners gathering around stacked warehouse
pallets in casual conversation. “Often, these All it takes is an unexpected shipping delay of a crucial component to throw an entire home sys-
interactions lead to new projects,” Whinna says. tems installation out of whack. Workflow stalls, schedules crumble and clients grow increas-
“Partners looking for help in certain disciplines ingly frustrated as timetables get pushed back. Unfortunately, it’s a costly domino effect that’s
are likely to find knowledgeable colleagues to become all too common in the integration industry.
align with at a Local Partner Store event.” At the Snap One has taken the initiative to do something about it. Rather than let its nationwide base of
same time, Partners can engage with Snap One Partners struggle as they wait for products to arrive, Snap One has set up a unique distribution model
tech experts for design and installation assis- whereby their Partners can come to the products and go back to the jobsite with products in hand the
tance before, during and after a project. To help same day. With 42 Local Partner Store locations up and running in major metropolitan areas across the
Partners hone their skills, Snap One regularly United States, Snap One has established an impressive wholesale footprint, giving Partners an alterna-
hosts vendor, technology, and business training tive to submitting purchase orders through Snap One’s legacy e-commerce site.
events. “Partners who may not be certified to
install certain brands of lighting, for example, Personalizing Product Procurement
can attend classes to do so; if they would like to
learn how to expand the capabilities of a certain That’s not to say that Snap One is no longer bullish on the power of e-commerce. It’s still very much a
system, our educational tracts certainly cover part of their business strategy, providing Partners with a convenient method of product procurement.
those areas, too,” Whinna says. “For our Partners, “The local sites bring us closer to our Partners through face-to-face engagement so we can foster
Local Partner Store events like these help boost strong relationships, better understand their needs and provide a dynamic personal hands-on shopping
their level of professionalism, revenue opportuni- experience where they can openly explore all of our options—and maybe even buy items that aren’t on
ties and customer satisfaction.” their shopping list,” says Wally Whinna, Snap One Senior VP of Local VP Snap One Partner Stores.
Just as the geographic proximity of the Local To make the shopping experience more engaging, Snap One took a slightly different approach than a
Partner Stores helps Partners streamline product standard distribution center model. Most of Snap One’s Local Partner Stores are designed to encour-
procurement, it enables Partners to easily and age Partners to browse the merchandise through an open warehouse concept. In these “Stores of the
affordably attend meaningful training courses Future,” visitors have access to the entire Snap One inventory, they can pull products from the shelves,
and special Partner events. “We want to give our complete their purchase on the spot, and leave with goods in hand the same day. “It’s akin to shopping
Partners every avenue they need to succeed, at Costco,” remarks Whinna. “It’s efficient, enjoyable, and exposes Partners to new products they may
particularly in this challenging post-pandemic not know about or that may come in handy for future projects.” Stores even offer a 24-hour will-call
world,” Whinna concludes. By thinking outside the room where Snap One Partners can take receipt of products at their convenience.
box and building a nationwide network of home Snap One leverages its buying power to keep the shelves of its stores well stocked. “It’s rare that
technology superstores, Snap One is doing its Partners can’t find what they need,” Whinna says. “When you have five distribution centers and 42 Lo-
part to drive business and prosperity for its Part- cal Partner Stores from which to pull stock the probability of being out of something is relatively low
ners—one unique “Store of the Future” at a time. compared to a company that might operate just two stores.”

18 | DECEMBER 2022 | Carrying Components from All Home Tech Categories

It’s not just merchandise from the Snap One family that occupies the Local Partner Store shelves.
A wide variety of third-party components are also available for same-day cash-and-carry. “We want
to make sure Partners have access to everything they need to complete jobs, so we aligned with a
number of best-in-brand manufacturers outside the Snap One circle,” Whinna continues. In addition
to Snap One’s standard fare, Partners can find displays from Samsung and Sony, mounts from Sanus,
loudspeakers from Klipsch and KEF, and lighting components from Lutron, for example.
These ancillary products are now also a part of Snap One’s rewards program, which gives Partners
credit for each purchase they make, be it an in-store or online transaction. Partners can use their
rewards points for free shipping, additional training, product discounts, enhanced support, quarterly
rebates and more.

FEATURE | MOBILITY

DECIPHERING THE BIDEN

ADMINISTRATION’S NEW BILL

TARGETING THE EV INDUSTRY

See what companies are moving manufacturing
to the U.S. and how consumers can benefit

BY SAM HITT

In late August, the White House made headlines According to an S&P Global Market Intelligence However, although the plan promises immedi-
when it passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which report, the tax credit for manufacturers equates to ate infrastructure benefits, the real impact of the
established a series of major tax credits designed roughly 10 percent of production costs for essential Inflation Reduction Act won’t be fully felt until
to help consumers and domestic manufacturers. materials such as aluminum, lithium and graphite. production ramps up in North America. Nathan Iyer,
Moreover, companies that produce their own a senior associate at the Rocky Mountain Institute,
The bill stipulates that consumers receive $7,500 lithium-ion battery cells for EVs will receive a $35 said in an interview with S&P Global Commodity
in tax credits on any new “clean” vehicles, a banner per kWh tax credit for each cell produced. Insights, “The real additionality is not going to be
that includes hydrogen-powered cars, and $4,000 coming in the next one month, two months or three
off of any used vehicle. These new incentives pair In just a week after the Inflation Reduction Act was months, but in the next two to three years as new
with President Biden’s $7.5 billion plan for the signed into law, a series of major manufacturers sites are scoped out and expanded.”
development of EV charging infrastructure across including Toyota, LG, Piedmont, Honda, Panasonic,
the country, in the 2021 “Infrastructure Investment Hyundai, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz an- According to S&P Global Commodity Insights
and Jobs Act.” nounced plans to invest in production infrastruc- analyst Alice Yu, sales of EVs in global markets
ture in North America. In total EV manufacturers including China, Europe and the U.S. have increased
One major stipulation of the Inflation Reduction have committed over $14 billion to create manufac- 92.5 percent year-over-year in 2022. The EV market
Act is that the tax credits, which are set to go into turing facilities. across the globe is expanding rapidly, making it
effect in 2023, are only to be applied to vehicles “for important for the U.S. to have a plan in place for
which final assembly occurred in North America,” Panasonic, the company that supplies the car securing production.
according to a Treasury Department fact brief. batteries for Tesla, will begin construction this
month on a $4 billion battery manufacturing plant | DECEMBER 2022 | 19
This move is designed to establish the U.S. as a in Kansas. The new plant, which is set to begin
central manufacturing hub for EVs over the next production by March 2025, is projected to boast an
decade. To do so, the bill proposes a series of cred- initial production capacity of 30-gigawatt hours per
its for manufacturers targeting nearly every sector year, a number equivalent to 60 percent of its cur-
of the EV supply chain from the raw minerals rent production numbers.
needed to make batteries to last-mile production
facilities.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

CORPORATE PROFILE

NEW AGE ELECTRONICS New Age Electronics, a division of TD SYNNEX, gives retailers the power to stand out from the crowd with a comprehen-
Public (NYSE: SNX) sive product portfolio and customized solutions and services. Its teams conduct extensive research on the latest trends
Founded: 1988 so retailers can stay ahead of the curve with the hottest products to satisfy preferences as consumers adapt to chang-
ing times. Premier services like merchandising, forecast management, supply chain management, concierge services,
Fred Towns, President integration solutions, and electronic software download help make a positive impact on the retailer’s bottom line.

For Sales Inquiries: As new products and innovations continue to transform the Consumer Technology industry, New Age Electronics
Call: 800-234-0300 provides leading offerings around smart home and connected products, devices supported by 5G and Wi-Fi 6, PCs and
eMail: [email protected] peripherals, gaming and accessories, audio, augmented / virtual / mixed reality, drones, e-transportation and profes-
synnexcorp.com/newageelectronics sional and medical-grade hygienic devices. Many of these products have new commercial applications with people
working in hybrid and remote environments. Regardless of the application, New Age Electronics delivers nontraditional
tools and solutions to give customers the competitive edge. And with over 30 years of industry experience, the company
is an ideal launch pad for manufacturers looking to break into retail.

New Age Electronics’ unique delivery program, Build a Box, enables retailers to “step out of the box” with customized
solutions that provide unparalleled customer experiences. The program offers collaborative planning, forecasting and
replenishment; bundling; pallet shippers; professional white glove and installation services; and electronic software
downloads. It includes exclusive SKUs, custom packaging and smart home solutions, and also reflects important
seasonal trends when consumers are motivated to purchase new products including Super Bowl, Mother’s Day, Dads
and Grads, Back-to-School and Holiday. New Age Electronics invites retailers to call to discuss how they can flourish in
today’s highly competitive retail environment and provide the best Consumer Technology solutions that effectively drive
consumers to stores and online. The New Age Electronics team is your true partner in the retail journey to success.

Fred Towns, Eric Kirkendall, Lysle Elder, Adam Del Vecchio,
President Senior Vice Senior Director, Senior Director,
President Product Marketing Product Marketing
20 | DECEMBER 2022 |

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

CORPORATE PROFILE

KEF America KEF

10 Timber Lane Founded in 1961 by BBC engineer Raymond Cooke, KEF is named after its original site, Kent Engineering and Foundry, and
Marlboro NJ 07746 continues to manufacture and develop its signature pieces in Maidstone, Kent, UK.
Cooke, an ex-BBC electrical engineer, was keen to experiment with new materials and technologies to create
(732) 683-2356 products that could reproduce recordings as natural as the original performance. Since 1961, from our UK home, we
https://us.kef.com/ have created remarkable – award-winning – speakers that do just that. From our ground-breaking Uni-Q technology to
our bar-setting LS50 Wireless, KEF exists to fill rooms with music as it was made to be heard: to move souls with truly
Founded 1961 authentic soundscapes.

Now in its seventh decade, KEF continues to establish itself at the forefront of audio excellence.

The introduction of Uni-Core technology on the KC62 subwoofer in 2021 has created a completely new take on sub-
woofer designs by redefining the physical space required for high-performance speakers and subwoofers. The Uni-Core
technology combines both drivers into a single motor system allowing cabinet size to be reduced by over a third, while
also increasing excursion to unlock exceptional output and depth.
Committed to ‘sound before all else,’ KEF introduced the ground-breaking use of Metamaterial Absorption Technology
(MAT) in their speaker design, which has been awarded the ‘Innovation of the Year’ by What Hi-Fi? Awards 2020. A truly
revolutionary tool in the KEF acoustic armory, MAT is created to eliminate 99 percent of the unwanted sound from the
rear of the driver. MAT has allowed KEF to design a new range of revolutionary products such as the LS50 Meta and has
also allowed us to update our flagship lines such as the Blade and Reference series in 2022.
In honor of their 60th anniversary in 2022, introduced the LS60 Wireless — an all-in-one, high fidelity streaming audio
system - that boasts the latest high-performance KEF key acoustic technologies, including the 12th Generation Uni-Q
driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology. Comprised of two floor standing speakers, this system features
multiple connectivity options for your TV, gaming or listening experience.
To round out the year with the expansion of their Extreme Home Theater line, KEF introduced two new THX-certified
models to their top of the industry architectural catalog - the ultra-high performance three-way coaxial speaker
Ci250RRM-THX and the high-output architectural subwoofer Ci250RRb-THX - both designed to be discreet in appear-
ance and engineered with best-in-class acoustic performance.
KEF’s mission is to deliver sound with as little intervention as possible; from treble to bass, and everything in between.
Listeners should be able to close their eyes and immerse themselves in the sound so deeply that they are transported,
in their minds, to the source. We believe that the best sound is natural sound – and that access to it is a right, not a
privilege.
Experience is everything, and that’s no overstatement. Combining our obsessions with acoustic authenticity and in-
novative engineering, we’d like to think that KEF products speak for themselves.
We invite you to close your eyes and be transported. Listen and believe.

| DECEMBER 2022 | 21

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE Nationwide Marketing Group,
Member-Focused and Performance-Driven
CORPORATE PROFILE
Even in today’s unsettled and unpredictable marketplace, Members of Nationwide Marketing Group are thriving. Even
Tom Schneider, president of Silica for Your as supply chain and labor challenges have persisted, Nationwide’s vast network of dealers continue to stand tall and
Home, an NMG Member who presented remain committed to serving their communities. Leaning on an array of digital, marketing, and financial and business
during that keynote on the company’s 100- services, dealers have adapted to the new and ever-evolving shopper decision journey.
year history.
With more than 5,000 Members who operate some 14,000 storefronts, Nationwide’s retailers represent the most influen-
Tom Hickman presents at the general tial voices in the Independent appliance, electronics, furniture, bedding, outdoor entertainment, connected services and
session during PrimeTime in Orlando this custom integration industries. The group’s semi-annual PrimeTime events provide the largest gathering of Independent
past August. dealers in the channel’s history. Part product exhibition and buying show with some of the deepest deals of the year, and
part educational conferences with a curriculum of hundreds of sessions, PrimeTime is attended by thousands of Mem-
bers and Vendor Partners. It also provides Member-to-Member networking, access to key decision-makers and industry
authorities, plus updates on the latest trends and issues affecting Members’ businesses.

Nationwide Member Benefits Include:
• Unmatched scale for the largest aggregate purchasing opportunities in the channel.
• PrimeTime, the industry’s largest Independent buying show and Member conference.
• Group-exclusive sheltered products and private labels available in every major category.
• Industry-leading and group-supported digital marketing programs and website design services,
which are constantly updated based on results from the channel’s largest reservoir of competitive data.
• Free access to powerful data-driven tools through the PriMetrix suite of programs, including personalized market
share analysis, the Assortment Rationalization Tool (ART) and the POS Benchmark platform.
• Free CEDIA membership for custom integration dealers and free access to the entire CEDIA education platform
through our exclusive Nationwide Learning Academy.
• Both group-provided and group-supported digital and traditional advertising assets and programs,
from web video and TV commercials to in-store video, print materials and more.
• Group-negotiated inventory finance and retail finance programs, plus low credit card processing
and business insurance programs.
• Nationwide Learning Academy live sessions and workshops, held regionally and during PrimeTime.
• The Nationwide Learning Academy online, a mobile-optimized video learning platform with hundreds of
new learning modules developed each year and hundreds of thousands of Member certifications annually.
• Nationwide’s eXchange CE purchasing portal, featuring pricing comparisons and product information
from the industry’s leading CE distributors.

Now is a great time for Independents and an even better time for Members of Nationwide Marketing Group.
Learn more at NationwideGroup.org.

NATIONWIDE MARKETING GROUP Tom Hickman,
Tom Hickman, President and Chief
Member Advocate
President and Chief
Member Advocate

609 N. Liberty St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101

NationwideGroup.org
336.722.4681

22 | DECEMBER 2022 |



SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

CORPORATE PROFILE

TCL Global Offices With a mission to bring consumers joy and simplicity through the thoughtful execution of design and technology, TCL
TCL North America Offices delivers meaningful experiences that help consumers enjoy more of the things they love. As one of the world’s largest
consumer electronics brands, TCL has spent nearly 40 years at the forefront of consumer technology pushing the
boundaries of what’s possible, raising the bar across the industry, and proudly pioneering new innovations. TCL’s history
of world firsts include:

• The first big-screen QLED TV in 2014, pioneering quantum dot color technology.
• The first Roku TV in 2014, which WIRED called “the first Smart TV worth using.”
• The first Mini-LED TV in 2019, raising the bar for depth, dimension, and contrast.
• Exclusive RAY·DANZ technology delivering an ultrawide soundstage from a slim 3.1 channel sound bar.
• The first rollable AMOLED smartphone concept showcasing TCL’s display expertise. 

TCL is vertically integrated, which means they make their own components and control the entire production process to
ensure consistent performance and quality. Being one of very few brands worldwide that are fully vertically integrated,
able to manufacture the most expensive parts of a product themselves, TCL can deliver the latest technology and the
highest quality products for the absolute best value.

Investing over $30 billion in state-of-the-art facilities, TCL creates innovative display technologies and develops new
production techniques for phones and TVs. TCL owns the largest major appliance factory in the world, among many
mighty manufacturing facilities. Last year, TCL produced over 40 million phones, nearly 10 million air conditioners, and
more than 30 million TVs globally. That scale helps grow TCL’s importance as a major tech supplier.

TCL’s commitment to innovation is shown throughout its 35 research centers around the world – including one in Silicon
Valley. The global size of the brand gives TCL the unique ability to bring industry-leading technologies to its product
lineup and solidify themselves as a true leader in reliable and affordable electronics.

To reinforce TCL’s commitment to the U.S. market, they continue to foster partnerships with many trusted names in the
areas of entertainment, sports, gaming, music, and technology. TCL wants to put customers closer to their entertain-
ment, through its high-quality products and engaging experiences that only TCL can deliver. Working with streaming
leaders has garnered huge industry and consumer acclaim, with products that have consistently won awards and
received glowing reviews.

The leaders at TCL North America are also committed to creating a high-performing culture that allows the company to
have a successful business they can feel good about. TCL Cares is the guiding set of rules that all decisions are filtered
through:

#TCLcares for our users. It is our responsibility to add joy and simplification
to their lives by innovating and advancing technology.

#TCLcares for our employees. It is our commitment to provide an environment
that embraces diversity, excellence, learning, and laughter.

#TCLcares for the communities we serve. We are all one and we are committed
to find ways to give back and make a positive impact.

#TCLcares for our environment. We have an obligation to minimize our footprint
on the planet our users and employees call home.

Chris Hamdorf, Chris Hogan, Mitch Smith,
Senior Vice Vice President of Vice President,
President Sales, Smart Home Home Entertainment

24 | DECEMBER 2022 |

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

CORPORATE PROFILE

Scadlock

Scadlock Inc. Established in 2004, Promounts was known for designing and manufacturing flat panel display mounts for its own brand,
Dba Promounts, key OEM, and retail partners. With a commitment to partnerships and growth, Promounts began adding new revenue
One Smart Products, Fanttik, Husky streams for clients through licensing, sourcing private labels and other branding opportunities. As Promounts portfolio
continued to expand, a company was created to encapsulate all the brands, services and products provided.
20218 Hamilton Ave
Torrance CA 90502 Introducing Scadlock, a unique collection of brands and companies setting the mark for concept, technology and design.
Office: 310-645-6400  Now more than just flat mounts, Scadlock brands and companies do everything from product design and marketing to
Email: [email protected] manufacturing to create long term retail success.

Founded: 2004  Home electronics, cables, smart home appliances and everything in between, Scadlock provides products and services
Private   to help clients achieve their goals.

| DECEMBER 2022 | 25

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

CORPORATE PROFILE

Sharp Home Electronics Company of America

At Sharp Home Electronics Company of America, we are committed to Simply Better Living. We believe our innovative
home appliances are SIMPLE to use, BETTER than the competition and encourage a HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.

Sharp Home Electronics Company of America is the U.S. Consumer Products division of Sharp Electronics Corporation,
which is a U.S. subsidiary of Osaka-based Sharp Corporation – a company known worldwide for its unique one-of-a-kind
electronic products and solutions. Our challenge is to create balance with products that can benefit people’s lives.
Sharp consumer electronics can enhance your enjoyment, add to your comfort and open new perspectives.

The SHARP® Built-In Full Kitchen Suite is the modern, stainless steel, edge-to-edge black glass kitchen of your dreams,
including our most innovative, built-in products like our Smart Convection Microwave Drawer™ Oven for baking, roast-
ing, and air frying. Our stainless steel Dishwashers with traditional or pocket handles, and a smart model that Works
with Alexa, are quiet and powerful additions to your modern home.  Our contemporary and stylish European Convection
Wall Ovens are a must-have for home entertaining. Elegant and sleek cooktops designed with matching black mirror
glass enhance your dream kitchen. SHARP refrigerators provide a smart balance of features and options for a better
experience in the heart of your home. Now that is Simply Better Living.

We invite you to find out more about us, the value we place upon Corporate Social Responsibility, our ongoing commit-
ment to strong business ethics, and the numerous awards won by our innovative products, by visiting SharpUSA.com.

26 | DECEMBER 2022 |

Alex Shirdel President Private company founded in 2004.
20218 Hamilton Ave., Torrance, CA 90502. 310-645-6400 [email protected] www.promounts.com

FEATURE | COVER STORY

THE

GAINS
AND
LOSSES

• OF 2022

28 | DECEMBER 2022 |

LOSSES seeing steeper drops than originally forecasted.
Supply chain constraints, exacerbated by China’s
OF 2022 zero-tolerance COVID lockdowns, are aggravating
shortages in smart appliances and vehicles.”
BY STEPHEN SILVER
Back in August, The NPD Group predicted that tech
You take the good, you take the bad. While the year 2022 saw lots of positives from an industry that took a big industry would see year over year revenue declines
step back from the depths of the pandemic, things were far from perfect this year. The constant appears to be of 6 percent and 3 percent in 2022 and 2023,
that even nearly three years after the start of the pandemic, things are still weird. Some of the losses we suf- respectively, although both were seen remaining
fered this year include: above the level of the pre-pandemic war of 2019.
As for the holidays, fourth quarter revenue was also
various factors have brought brought on significant seen down against 2021, but up from 2019.
fears of a recession in 2023, especially with the
Federal Reserve seemingly seeking to stave off “For the last two years consumers have relied
inflation by possibly triggering one. on technology products to make their lives more
comfortable and convenient while many worked,
The only economic certainty, it appears, is more learned and entertained mostly from home,” said
uncertainty. Paul Gagnon, vice president, industry advisor for
NPD. “Rather than waiting for promotions, or in
some cases specific products, they bought what
was available when they needed it. But as consum-
ers return to more ‘normal’ behaviors and sched-
ules we are seeing a shift back to pre-pandemic
purchase patterns and believe consumers will once
again be seeking out holiday deals this Q4.”

Inflation and Fears of Recession Industry Revenue Declines Data Breaches Continue

There had been some hope that inflation would The Consumer Technology Association, in what The year 2022 saw more data breaches, with Surf-
have returned to normal levels by the end of 2022, it called “a rare occasion in the history of this shark reporting that data breaches were 70 percent
but despite occasional hints of things getting bet- publication,” in July predicted a decline in industry higher in the third quarter year-over-year, affecting
ter, the Consumer Price Index remained high as of revenue, to $503 billion in 2022, down 0.2 percent, 108.9 million accounts in the quarter.
October, rising 8.2 percent year-over-year. This not with hardware revenues seen dropping 1.4 percent.
only hit consumers in the wallet but also greatly “The new outlook for 2022 accounts for world Microsoft Security was hit by a hacker collective
affected he earnings of top retailers, from Best Buy events in the past six months that have put down- called Lapsus$ in the spring, with Uber reportedly
to Walmart to even Amazon. ward pressure on CTA’s original projections for the hit by the same hacker group in September.
year. Major hardware categories such as laptops
Sure, some consumer electronics items like smart- and TVs, which were expected to decline, are now Other breaches this year were reported everywhere
phones and TVs have seen prices drop. But that’s from various crypto platforms to Cash App to the
more a function of how the Bureau of Labor Statis- Christian crowdfunding site GiveSendGo to even
tics measures the benchmarks, and it’s not enough the Red Cross. The top health insurer in Australia,
to overcome overall inflation in other categories, Medibank Group, with some patient details com-
some of it by double digits. promised.

The announcement that the economy grew by 2.6
percent in the third quarter appears to mean we’re
not officially in recession territory quite yet. But

| DECEMBER 2022 | 29

FEATURE | COVER STORY

In November, the FTC sued ed tech vendor Chegg mistakenly clicking on a malicious email. very high and we expect this to intensify in the
after a series of four data breaches n five years, coming years,” Paul Jacobs, president and CEO of
one of which was caused by a “senior executive” Onkyo’s Parent Company Declares Bankruptcy Premium Audio Company, said at the time of the
Following the demise of Fry’s Electronics in 2021, announcement.
there were no major electronics chains that went
under this year (and Fry’s enjoyed a rebirth, albeit a “We have been working very closely with Sharp to
fictitious one, in Jordan Peele’s movie Nope.) ramp up production and have grown our business
significantly since the acquisition was completed,”
Back in May, the holding company of the longtime added Jacobs. “We have big plans for Onkyo and the
Japanese audio business Onkyo declared bankrupt- other brands sold through 11TC and as we build pro-
cy, although it has remained in business. Premium duction and expand distribution, believe sales will
Audio Company (which is part of Voxx) and Sharp more than double in the near-term. Rumors or any
had teamed up the year before to buy Onkyo’s as- statements to the contrary about the Onkyo brand
sets, as well as those of Integra. are simply unfounded and misleading.”

“Demand for Onkyo and Integra products has been

GAINS

OF 2022

The best and brightest parts of this past
year for the CE retail industry

BY EGON SANDERS

In yet another year of fairly unprecedented times, 2022 was nothing
if not new terrain for the consumer electronics industry. While
society transitioned back to something more closely resembling
“normal,” supply chains remained shaky; bigger companies like Ap-
ple and Samsung were mostly able to keep up with demand, while
smaller companies (and even big ones, such as car manufactur-
ers) continued to struggle with component shortages and delayed
shipping times. Despite all of this, consumer spending remained
up, which translated to strong sales for consumer electronics on
the whole. As we turn the page on the new year, we’ve taken a step
back to look at some of 2022’s biggest gains for the CE industry.

30 | DECEMBER 2022 |



FEATURE | COVER STORY

Wearables E-Bikes of the proposed Build Back Better Act. Advocates
remain hopeful that such incentives will eventually
Wearables had a particularly interesting year in E-bikes have been having a moment. Sales of pass through Congress in 2023, at which point it’s
2022. In terms of mindshare, wearable devices have battery-powered bikes more than tripled during the likely we’d see another boom in e-bike sales. 
been slowly but surely gaining popularity over the pandemic, and 2022 represented another big year.
past decade, but 2022 represented a significant In 2021, the global e-bike market passed $26 billion; Increased Promotional Activity in Tech
leap forward. Apple’s machinations are often a bell- from 2022 on through 2030, it is projected to climb
wether for the state of a given product category, at a compound annual growth rate of just under 10 While overall demand was lower for consumer
and Apple’s September event was notable in that percent, to surpass $62 billion.  electronics in 2022 than in the previous two years
the Apple Watch Series 8 was clearly the belle of of the pandemic, retailers showed that they were
the ball, easily surpassing the company’s emphasis While consumer demand has continued to remain able to adapt. As such, one thing was abundantly
on the latest iPhone (and everything else it an- strong, the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduc- clear in consumer electronics retail for 2022: pro-
nounced) for the first time on record. In addition to tion Act didn’t include any of the proposed subsi- motions were in.  Through September, NPD’s “Price
the Series 8, Apple also announced its higher-end dies for electric bikes — including the tax credits and Discount Trends” data indicated 26 percent
Apple Watch Ultra, further expanding the category. and other bike-related measures that were part of consumer technology unit sales were sold on
2022 was also the year Google announced its long promotion — the highest amount since before the
awaited, Android-only Pixel smartwatch — the pandemic. This meant good deals for consumers
company’s first real attempt to directly take on the and keeping inventory moving for retailers.
Apple Watch on its own terms. 
Going into the holiday season, smartphones were
That said, the wearables market did experience number one among consumers’ reported purchase
some turbulence as a result of the global economic interests, followed by headphones and tablets/e-
downturn in 2022, according to market forecasts readers, with smartwatches rounding out the
from industry analysts CCS Insight and others, top four, according to NPD. Notably, interest in
indicating an overall drop in sales from 232 million purchasing a smartwatch hit a three-year high and
shipments in 2021 to 215 million in 2022. There are had the strongest year over year interest gain of
many factors here, not least of which being satura- any CE category.
tion: many of those interested in the category may
have already invested in the category in recent “Promotions were more available in 2022 — es-
years and aren’t quite ready for an upgrade. But to pecially during the holiday season, as retailers
anyone paying attention, the writing is clearly on and manufacturers looked to kick-start demand
the wall: wearables are at the forefront of health for technology products that had been soft in the
tech, and massive investments from the biggest second half of the year,” said Ben Arnold, industry
companies in the world are a clear indication that analyst covering consumer electronics for the
the future is looking bright. 

32 | DECEMBER 2022 |

NPD Group. “Holiday shopping got off to an early billion has been spent on games and apps in the market thriving, user spending is expected to jump
start with an October Prime Day/Deal Days event Meta Quest Store, and that more than one-third of by 27 percent to $12.7 billion next year, and Statista
and was in full swing by Black Friday and Cyber the company’s 400 Quest titles have grossed more expects VR hardware revenues to hit $9.39 billion in
Monday.” than $1 million in sales, with 33 titles having sur- 2023, showing a 23 percent year-over-year growth. 
passed $10 million in gross revenue. With the entire
Virtual Reality

One of the biggest words in tech in 2022 was most
certainly “metaverse”— while that means many
things to many people, we nevertheless heard it
incessantly. With Meta, Apple and Sony all investing
heavily in the space (to name just a few), it seems
likely that we’ll see this category, broadly speaking,
continue to expand over the next decade. Two head-
set announcements topped the list for 2022: the
Meta Quest Pro, which began shipping in October,
and PlayStation VR2, which will ship in early 2023.
Both are big bets on the future of the medium,
which continued to grow in 2022: consumers
worldwide were forecast to have spent close to $10
billion on VR hardware and software in the calendar
year, according to a Statista survey. At its Connect
event in October, Meta shared that more than $1.5

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Copyright 2022 Envision Peripherals, Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product specifications subject to change without notice.

FEATURE | BUSINESS

DELIVERING EXPERIENCE,

DRIVING SALES How building on recent product
advancements can increase
BY DENNIS HOLZER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE POWERHOUSE ALLIANCE customer spending

Arecent report from Statista found that smart home market penetration is expected to hit 43 percent by the end of 2022, and the number of active house-
holds is expected to amount to 84.9 million users by 2026. These are staggering numbers, but they also likely don’t surprise any reader as the demand for
smart home tech has been on the rise since before the onset of the pandemic. While the last year has been fraught with supply chain challenges, we are
starting to see those pressures ease, but what will be the next shoe to drop? The 2008 housing crash hit our market hard, and as inflation and rumors of a recession
loom, there are business considerations that every dealer should consider as they start to lay their plans for 2023. One of the key ways dealers can sharpen their
competitive edge is by continuing to focus on the experience they are delivering to customers.

34 | DECEMBER 2022 |

Starting with the Smart Home Backbone project scopes will be more likely to increase with The second category that shows no signs of slow-
additional smart home devices. The experience of ing down is outdoor entertainment. While many
Smart TVs and smart speakers are some of the a professionally installed network can easily be homeowners find themselves completely satisfied
most popular products that homeowners often overlooked by homeowners if you don’t show them with a mere wireless speaker, we’re finding that
purchase off the shelf. They tend to be relatively the impact. more are interested in learning about outdoor TV
easy for homeowners to set up, and coupled with options, full sound systems and even outdoor shad-
the variety of streaming services on the market, it Smart and Secure ing and Wi-Fi to complement their space. Even as
does not take long for homeowners to begin reap- the months start to turn colder, think ahead to what
ing the benefits of these devices. However, this year Approaching the final quarter of 2022 kicks off homeowners may want as the ground starts to
marked a new milestone for streaming. According holiday shopping and holiday vacations, and we thaw. Dealers should pay attention to those catego-
to Parks Associates, a record-high of 23 percent can expect to see security continuing not only as a ries that can often feel like an afterthought — they
of internet households subscribed to nine or more mainstay but as a larger piece of the smart home can lead to some serious revenue additions when
services in Q1 2022. The streaming device market puzzle. Let’s start with how security and holiday you’ve demonstrated to a customer the overall
is maturing rapidly as a result. Nine streaming ser- shopping have become fast friends. It’s no secret experience you’re able to deliver.
vices and countless connected devices from smart that online shopping has become a de facto means
phones to pet cams can put quite the strain on the of getting gifts secured and ensuring that those
home network, and that’s not even considering special deliveries don’t get swiped by a passerby
the remote work end of the equation. While many is essential. Amazon has caught the attention of
homeowners may be opting for fiber or 5G internet consumers with their new offering, Amazon Key,
speeds, they may not be getting the bandwidth and which enables delivery drivers to place packages
security features their home so desperately needs. inside your garage, both protecting packages from
the elements and from potential porch pirates.
Over the last few years, networking has been one of Thanks to Amazon’s big marketing efforts with Key,
the strongest product categories across all Power- dealers can easily capitalize on the awareness
House Alliance locations, and it shows no signs of and help their customers think beyond their video
slowing down. The benefits are easy to articulate, doorbell to consider other ways they can monitor
but for those dealers who may be seeing a slight deliveries, and the overall security in and around
slowdown in projects, contacting your customer their home. We all know security has been a key
rolodex to offer networking upgrades can not only driver in smart home adoption for several years and
be an easy sell but shows that you are attentive to the reach continues to expand, with consumers
keeping their system up to date. You are ensuring considering smart locks, smart outdoor lighting and
they can binge that latest Netflix special or that more comprehensive video surveillance.
their Zoom meeting does not break up. Additionally,
Parks Associates reports data security or privacy From an Afterthought
issues concern 79 percent of consumers. This to Front and Center
concern is one of the top three purchase inhibitors
of smart home devices, so if you can assure your We can’t help dealers plan for 2023 without calling
customers that their data and privacy is secure, attention to some categories that are finally get-
ting their proper due among dealers and consum-
ers alike. Two categories PowerHouse Alliance
members continue to see expand are outdoor
entertainment and lighting/shading. In 2022 alone,
PowerHouse Alliance Members have more than
doubled the amount of shading products they have
sold YTD. I’ve often heard it said that both lighting
and shading are categories within the smart home
that you can’t imagine living without once you have
them installed in your home. Providing home-
owners with a way to automate their shades to
maximize the daylight within their home or to pro-
vide instant privacy at night to avoid that dreaded
“fishbowl” effect are easier sells than most dealers
think.

| DECEMBER 2022 | 35

FEATURE | CRYPTOCURRENCY

IDEAS FROM
ACROSS
THE POND

How European electrical retail is leveraging the likes of
Web3, Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies and NFTs

BY RICHARD BARNES

Not a day goes by without another innovation General of Communications Networks, Content & digital sovereignty seems pivotal in a future where a
being announced in the tidal wave of new Technology. large percentage of the economy, society and personal
technologies affecting each of us. Over the interactions will take place in persistent digital
past few years, the blockchain has increasingly been A recent workshop organized by the EU Blockchain spaces,” said Polemitis. “There are more issues to ad-
used in the supply process — in particular when the Observatory & Forum, set up by the European Commis- dress like constitutional, accessibility, economics and
tracking of products is important. But today, with sion, saw Antonis Polemitis, CEO IFF, University of Nic- surveillance. The eminent decision lies on a closed
Web3, NFTs, crypto and the metaverse, it’s getting osia, cautioning European players on the importance metaverse dominated by American companies or a
harder for retail management to keep up with the of countering the evident strength of U.S. players at metaverse following open and interoperable stand-
Joneses. To help you do so, we’re taking a look at how the “helm” of the blockchain and the metaverse. He ards. For instance, Linux is an open-source option in
some European retailers are innovating or adapting in called for the metaverse to have an open architecture, place of the Windows system.”
this respect. using the blockchain and NFTs as some of its working
tools. According to Polemitis, the metaverse is inevitable
The European Commission Sets the Stage and more uses will emerge in the future. It is an excit-
“A concern is that the view towards blockchain and ing subject for computing, but a huge incentive for the
While Europe is made up of many countries, the Euro- cryptocurrency is predominantly from an anti-money European Union lies in deciding its format.
pean Commission plays a major role in the coordina- laundering (AML) and consumer safety perspective.
tion of technological roll-out, through its Directorate- While these are valid discussion subjects, Europe’s Alexander Whalen, the public policy manager for EU

36 | DECEMBER 2022 |

European car manufacturer
Alpine sells NFT cars for online

racing – Photo © 2022 Alpine

Affairs in Meta, says the technology has major nect to virtual worlds. Main. After extensive studies, the locations were
potential, but the roll-out will take some time. selected based on the affinity for cryptocurrencies
“The purpose of Meta is not to substitute in-person MediaMarktSaturn Expands Crypto in the surrounding regions. The process is simple.
experiences, as nothing will beat that, but for digital Kiosks into Germany After a one-off initial registration online, the cus-
interaction to get better and more meaningful,” he tomer loads a wallet app onto his or her smart-
said, adding that the estimation for the metaverse Staying ahead of the game means taking a leap phone. In the next step, the amount is selected at
and its improvements is to be realized over the next of faith when it comes to providing new services. the machine. The app then creates a QR code — the
decade. To this end, in cooperation with crypto vend- address of the wallet. The code is scanned at the
ing machine specialists Kurant, Germany-based machine, the desired amount is paid in cash and
Whalen said that the evolutions with the metaverse MediaMarktSaturn is offering a customer-oriented the corresponding bitcoin amount is credited to the
are not going to be based solely on the U.S., but will service that makes it easier for its customers to digital wallet.
indeed impact Europe. He added that the current enter the digital world.
transition to the digital world is cumbersome; Christian Stephan, head of innovation research
especially compared to augmented reality with the As part of a six-month pilot project, Saturn custom- at the MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group, said, “The
use of mobiles; as headsets are a requirement for ers can exchange their cash for the two popular demand for cryptocurrencies is enormous — our
virtual worlds. The vision is, he says, to improve this cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Ethereum in the three technology-loving customers in particular are very
aspect and provide a more seamless way to con- markets of Cologne, Dortmund and Frankfurt am interested in Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Bitcoin

| DECEMBER 2022 | 37

FEATURE | CRYPTOCURRENCY

ATMs therefore fit perfectly into our service portfo- “As a committed player, we care about our custom- 3D car racing games that are played on a console
lio. Regardless of whether you are a crypto profes- ers and want to help them make informed deci- or PC.
sional or a newcomer, with the Kurant machines, sions,” said Enrique Martinez, CEO of Fnac Darty.
we offer our customers a quick and easy way to buy “Through this collaboration on data and cloud with In June this year, the European Council presidency
bitcoins while they are shopping.” Google, which is the first of its kind in the French and the European Parliament reached a provisional
retail sector, our customers will enjoy a more agreement on the markets in crypto-assets (MiCA)
The rollout follows an already successful test-run fluid, customized and distinctive online shopping proposal which covers issuers of unbacked crypto-
of similar kiosks by the retailer in Austria. experience. It will improve the performance of our assets, and so-called “stablecoins,” as well as the
websites through an AI-driven web experience that trading venues and the wallets where crypto-
Fnac Darty Partners with Google for Data is ever more immersive and effective. As a result, assets are held.
and Cloud Services the partnership will allow us to accelerate our
digital transformation and continue to deliver on This regulatory framework will protect investors
A new data-centric partnership between French our everyday plan.” and preserve financial stability, while allowing
electrical retailer Fnac Darty and Google is set innovation and fostering the attractiveness of the
to accelerate the group’s digital transformation EU Legislation Set to Pave the Way for crypto-asset sector. It will, according to the Coun-
at a time when commerce is undergoing radical “Safer” NFT Rollout cil, bring more clarity in the European Union, as
change. In a statement, Fnac Darty say the move some member states already have national legisla-
will increase the group’s innovation capabilities The question of whether NFTs will begin appearing tion for crypto-assets but so far there has been no
through data and offer customers enhanced prod- in European electrical retail (they are already avail- specific regulatory framework at EU level.
ucts, services and experiences. able via some luxury goods specialists) remains
to be seen. Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) may have According to Bruno Le Maire, French Minister for
The deal involves the deployment of the Google made headlines after celebrities spent millions the economy, finance and industrial and digital
Cloud Retail Search solution on fnac.com and darty. on unique digital artworks, but NFTs have wider sovereignty, “Recent developments on this quickly
com websites, making Fnac Darty the first retailer applications than online art. Video gamers use the evolving sector have confirmed the urgent need
in France to implement this new solution. The goal technology to buy accessories for virtual charac- for an EU-wide regulation. MiCA will better protect
is to improve website performance by creating a ters, and an active market has developed for online Europeans who have invested in these assets, and
“smoother process for customers to search for racing, where players can buy racehorses or cars prevent the misuse of crypto-assets, while being
and discover products and by making results more as NFTs and are able to win big in virtual races — innovation-friendly to maintain the EU’s attractive-
relevant.” with prizemoney in crypto of course. This year, the ness. This landmark regulation will put an end to
European car maker Alpine — part of the Renault the crypto wild west and confirms the EU’s role as
Integration of data analytics, machine learning and group — innovated by creating unique NFT art cars, a standard-setter for digital topics.”
artificial intelligence means the technology will which sold for tens of thousands of Euros to gam-
— according to a Fnac Darty spokesman — help ers who race them online on the REVV Motorsport The metaverse et al is only beginning its journey,
improve operational efficiency and customer expe- metaverse platform. All cars using the platform with components gradually being built. In Europe,
rience, as well as support the group’s innovation on are NFTs and all play sessions are registered on the key players have realized it’s vital to stay ahead
new services. blockchain — but the game looks and plays like the of the game and the “speak the language” — some-
thing any visitors to Europe will understand is part
38 | DECEMBER 2022 | and parcel of the local culture.

FEATURE | RETAIL

BEYOND INFLATION

Inflation may be playing a leading role in consumer electronics
sales, but supporting actors add a lot to the story

BY JOHN R. QUAIN over the holidays and into 2023 on high-end TVs,” increasingly to bargain retailers like Walmart for
said Mark Vena, principal analyst at SmartTech deals on countertop appliances and TVs. (Walmart
While inflation’s effect on the overall Research. “Manufacturers cannot afford to have a declined to comment on expected trends for this
economy is undisputed, its effect on slow holiday sales season as that’s the part of the Dealerscope story.) Meanwhile, affluent customers
consumer electronics sales may be year when typically most sales occur.” will continue their discretionary spending, impervi-
overblown. Downward pricing pressure in some ous to inflationary trends elsewhere.
categories, an easing supply chain and a post- And while inflation continues to impact overall
pandemic slow-down in demand for some products PC sales, including laptops, Vena doesn’t believe As for the consumer buying hangover, it seems to
may have a more profound effect on items like TVs it’s the core reason for slowing sales. “The PC extend into all corners of high-tech goods. At least
and laptops in the coming months. market has been contracting because it’s no longer one major American bicycle brand that did not wish
benefiting from pandemic sales and the work- to be identified told Dealerscope the market may
Certainly, the 500-pound gorilla in the overall retail from-home effect,” he pointed out. “And we’re not be temporarily saturated. After a couple of years of
market is still inflation. For example, consumer likely to see a repeat of the kind of historic buying surging demand, there’s now a huge back inventory
prices — excluding food and energy costs — rose a binge seen in 2020 and 2021 to upgrade systems any of e-bikes.
staggering 6.6 percent in September compared to a time soon.
year ago. That is the fastest rate of inflation the U.S. Nevertheless, there are some CE bright spots that
has seen in 40 years. analysts expect will hold up well over the next few
months, specifically in accessories and peripherals.
So with prices for food and utilities continuing to “PC video game and TV sales soared,” said Green-
rise, consumers are throttling back on non-essen- gart, “and now there’s a bit of a hangover. Prices are “Peripheral devices seem to be immune — to some
tials like new clothes and shiny electronics. Indeed, actually down in these categories and supply is up.” extent — to the impact of inflation,” noted Vena,
sales of consumer electronics and white goods fell because users can’t delay critical purchases for
0.8 percent in September. The question is, will these One company in the midst of the supply chain is items like printers and webcams.
trends continue? 3M. It provides adhesives and electronic films and
coatings to high-tech customers like smartphone And while smartphone sales are down globally, said
“Inflation has definitely impacted consumer elec- makers, so it’s considered a bellweather of things Greengart, “Apple iPhone sales are up.” While Apple
tronics sales,” said Avi Greengart, lead analyst at to come. In its most recent investor conference, expects to see slower growth in iPhones sales, its
Techsponential, “but the impact is selective and is 3M said it expects to see continued “softness” in sales numbers demonstrate that when they need
often dwarfed by other factors.” smartphone, tablet and TV sales. The company a new phone, consumers are willing to invest in
also agreed that supply chain issues seem to have premium products, added Greengart.
Several analysts agree that other factors are largely abated. So there will be some pressure to
playing a more important role in CE sales. Many offer discounts to boost sales. On the other hand, In spite of these countervailing forces, the Federal
consumers splurged during the pandemic on 4K retailers should at least be able to count on a Reserve’s three-quarters of a point hike in interest
TVs and laptops, for example, just as supply chain steady stream of products. rates in November will no doubt increase the cost
problems reduced inventories and drove up prices. of credit card debt and cause some consumers to
But this year, the trend has reversed. While the Overall, analysts at AlixPartners expect consum- shy away from big purchases over the holidays and
price of many essentials skyrocketed, the price ers will continue to spend. The National Retail through early next year. Many economists expect
of items such as big-screen TVs fell by as much Federation recently forecast that holiday retail the Fed’s move will be the last hike this year and for
as 12.7 percent according to the Consumer Price sales during November and December will grow some time to come — unless inflation rears its ugly
Index this past summer. Even computer prices fell between 6 percent and 8 percent over 2021 to head, and then all bets are off.
by 1 percent, according the report. Some analysts between $942.6 billion and $960.4 billion. But at
expect to see further price erosion. the same time, the middle income shoppers may | DECEMBER 2022 | 39
get squeezed. In order to offset price increases in
“We’ll likely see some very strong discounting food and services, mainstream consumers will look

FEATURE | E-COMMERCE

WHEN ACCESSIBILITY

BECOMES SECOND NATURE

Making product content accessible is essential –
and easier than you might think

BY LLOYD WOOD & LEAH MINASIAN

Whether you are a cereal maker, a car ing almost any hardware or software more accessi- section on their site to accessibility — not only
manufacturer or a B2B tech re-seller, it ble also benefits non-disabled customers, through ensuring an accessible website but accessible
is no longer enough to keep your eyes enhanced usability and other improvements. Se- technologies for their customers. They have
solely on your P&L. Doing the right thing on an mantic HTML — a must for accessible web content implemented extensive supplier requirements to
evolving set of social issues and causes — from — can increase SEO rankings. And, on a more basic establish compliance with laws and regulations
sustainability to social justice — is now a business level, being accessible means that you expand your governing product design. Additionally, they have
imperative. Consumers, other companies and even potential customer base exponentially; according customer service agents to provide support and
law enforcement agencies are watching how firms to the World Bank, roughly 15 percent of the Earth’s assistance for HP product users after the product
behave with a sharply critical eye, demanding population — about one billion people — have some has been delivered.
real-world action — not just press releases and sort of disability.
promises. As the world’s leading product content aggregator,
So, what do online tech retailers need to do to GfK Etilize works with retailers and brands to be
One key area of focus in this move toward make sure they are keeping pace with accessibility sure they are providing shoppers with disabilities
“purposeful” commerce is accessibility – making needs and requirements? The Web Accessibility Ini- the accommodations they need and deserve.
products and services easier to use for the blind tiative (WAI) regularly updates its Web Content Ac- We also help clients stay a step ahead of today’s
and deaf, those on the autism spectrum, and people cessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which have become regulations, making sure that simple improvements
with a range of other disabilities. And the incentives the standard for making sites of all types usable for like providing alt-text for images does not cost
to do better are more than just good feelings; ac- everyone. According to the WCAG: companies money and legal hassles.
cording to www.law.com, more than 2,800 web ac-
cessibility lawsuits were filed in 2021 – a 14 percent • Text, images, videos and other content need to be Whether you are a manufacturer or a seller, the
increase over 2020. easily legible. best approach to accessibility is to put yourself
• Videos and photos should have closed captioning in the user’s shoes. Make sure you would feel at
You might not think that e-commerce sites could and/or “alt text” for the visually impaired. home and well served by your online commerce
be hotbeds of accessibility troubles, but you would • Key documents should be readily accessible as content and apps — and take a vigorous approach
need to think again. Accessibility is not a new issue PDF files. if anything seems amiss. Keep a watch for changes
for online sellers; 16 years ago, the National Federa- • Users should have the ability to resize text, and in requirements and regulations, which are always
tion for the Blind sued Target over accessibility, and sites should avoid images with too much text. evolving. And be consistent in your accessibility
the retail giant forked over $6 million in damages. • Pages should have foreign language attributes. strategy; haphazard approaches often yield un-
But web retailers are still all over the map when it needed headaches. Above all, recognize and lean
comes to accessibility awareness and compliance Some global tech retailers and brands have gotten into the benefits of accessibility, for all of your
and the time for claiming ignorance has passed. ahead of the accessibility issue, setting strong valued shoppers and for your company’s future
If you are responsible for an e-comm site of any examples of what to do and when. Best Buy insists success.
sort, you are potentially vulnerable, and the time to that all vendor-provided images cannot include
make things right is now. embedded text, and that vendor videos must in- Lloyd Wood is director of sales for GfK Etilize.
clude closed captioning and transcripts. Noncom- Leah Minasian is business development
The good news is that there are many other good pliant images and videos are routinely removed. coordinator at GfK Etilize. They can be reached
reasons — apart from fear of your local DA — for at [email protected].
taking on accessibility. Research shows that mak- Among manufacturers, HP has dedicated a whole

40 | DECEMBER 2022 |

©2022 Harman International Industries, Inc. JBL and the JBL logo are trademarks of Harman International Learn more at jbl.com
Industries, Inc. and are registered in the United States and other countries. All rights reserved.

TRADE SHOWS

WHAT TO EXPECT
AT CES 2023 Thisyear’sshowinLasVegasis

lining up to be bigger and more
diverse than ever

BY ERINN LOUCKS

Happening January 5-8 in Las Vegas, the in- nesses of all sizes, large and small to showcase that Covid presented. Overall the sentiment was
dustry’s largest show is brimming with new their products, to meet with partners, meet with very positive for those that attended the event, and
technology, ideas and opportunities. Dealer- media like yourself, and that has never changed we’re looking to build off that show this year.
scope spoke with John T. Kelley, vice president and throughout the pandemic. Even when we were
acting show director of CES, Consumer Technology entirely virtual in 2021, we still provided that op- People are excited to be back in person and to
Association (CTA), to find out what to expect. portunity for those companies to connect with the meet with potential partners. Exhibitors want to
industry and really showcase their product tech- showcase what they’ve been doing the last couple
Dealerscope: How do you think this show will com- nologies. As part of that digital platform, we offered of years. The international presence at CES in par-
pare to previous years, including pre-pandemic?  several conference sessions as well. Obviously, ticular has always been what’s important for a lot
we are back to in person and we had a very strong of companies. About a third of our attendees have
Kelley: “We’ve always provided a platform for busi- show this past year despite all of the challenges come from outside the U.S., and we expect that to

42 | DECEMBER 2022 |

THE BUSINESS IMPACT OF CES
THE BUSINESS IMPACT OF CES
THE BUSINESS IMPACT OF CES

CES 2023 | JAN 5-8 | LAS VEGAS AND DIGITAL | CES.TECH

1 FURTHERING 2 STARTUP 3 DRIVING 4 KEY
GLOBAL SUCCESS ECONOMIC PLAYERS
BUSINESS GROWTH
• The Impossible Whopper: • Government officials,
• Investors have contributed Impossible Foods was • Since 1978, CES has drawn policymakers and business
$10+billion to startups within discovered at CES 2019 by 4.9 million attendees to leaders attend CES to
Eureka Park Burger King - the Impossible Las Vegas. experience innovation and
Whopper is now sold nation- forge partnerships.
• CES keynoters experience wide. • To date, the estimated
significant stock price economic impact to Las • Start-ups to Fortune 500
increases after making • Ring Doorbell: Debuted Vegas from CES is more than companies break news.
announcements at CES at CES 2019 and was then $6 billion. • 3.1K+ media in
acquired by Amazon – now attendance (CES 2022)
• The average executive holds valued at $1.2 billion. • CES 2020 had an estimated • 177K+ stories produced
29 meetings while at CES economic impact of (CES 2022)
• Benjilock: After launching $291 million to Las Vegas,
• 1/3 of CES attendees come at CES, Benjilock secured including $169 million in • At CES 2020:
from outside the U.S. funding from Shark Tank, direct spending. o 330 of the Fortune
leading to a major licensing 500 companies were
deal with Hampton. represented
o 94% of exhibitors said
their annual sales were
influenced by the show

| DECEMBER 2022 | 43

TCROALUDME NSH|OVWIDSEO

be true again this year. We’re expecting about 2,000 Kelley: “One of the most exciting things about CES for at least six to eight weeks following the show so
exhibitors if not a little more, and we’ve set a goal is new technology. One example of that would be people can go back and watch content.”
of 100,000 attendees right now, and our attendance marine technology. We have a couple of exhibitors
is tracking to meet or exceed that goal.” that will be showcasing some battery powered and Dealerscope: Any tips for success for if you’re an
autonomous vehicles for underwater vehicles. We exhibitor or an attendee?
Dealerscope: In terms of halls and venues in areas, also anticipate the largest automotive show that
what will the show layout look like? we’ve ever had, with more than three hundred auto Kelley: “For exhibitors: come with an open mind.
companies. Sustainability will be an overarching Take note of what is happening around you and of
Kelley: “We’re anticipating the show footprint to theme of the show — how brands are more purpose what feedback you’re receiving from people that
be over 40 percent larger than it was last year. As driven, but also how are we seeing products that tie you interact with. Companies come to CES — par-
an overview, we have three primary venues — the into sustainability, from electrification of vehicles ticularly start-ups — with one idea or vision of what
first being the Las Vegas Convention Center. We oc- to other areas. their product or technology should be, and then
cupied the Central, the North and the West Hall. The they meet somebody or they interact with some-
West Hall was a new facility that opened last year; Another area that I find pretty interesting as well is body and it totally changes their business model
last year was our first year in the West Hall. That food tech, which is a growing category at CES. We’ll or totally changes who their target audience may
space will be primarily occupied by our automobile have dedicated space for that over in the Venetian, be. That’s my best advice for start-ups in particular:
exhibitors, and also marine technology exhibitors and we have at least five conference sessions come with an open mind.
will be in that space. One of the growth categories dedicated to food tech as well.
at CES is transportation and mobility. We’ll have For attendees, I would say to prioritize what you
more than 300 exhibitors in that space. There are Digital health is another growing category. We have want to get out of the show. There is a lot to see
also several large outdoor exhibits there as well. several different health conference sessions that and do over the course of four days, and so come
Google has a very large outdoor presence, BMW will take place starting Friday and then will move with some sort of plan as to what you want to
will have a large outdoor driving experience there, into Saturday as well. There is a dedicated area in experience.”
and then several exhibitors will create their own North Hall for health. The pandemic has really ac-
structures in the parking lot near at the convention celerated how we use health monitoring services, Dealerscope: Anything else you’d like to add?
center. remote doctor services and things of that nature.
Ultimately the technology is giving the consumer Kelley: “At the end of the day, what’s most impor-
Moving over to the Venetian property — that’s more control and is improving our access to health tant is CES is a place where business happens,
where we have our startups and our emerging care.” where deals get done, where partnerships are
technologies. Over there we occupy two levels of made, and as we’ve learned this past year, there’s
the Venetian Expo. I anticipate hundreds of startups Dealerscope: What major tech companies are really no way to replicate that in-person experi-
being there. Last year we had more than 600, and already confirmed to be there? ence. I hear that sometimes people’s success at
this year we expect even more, especially from CES is a result of some of those serendipitous
other countries. A few to note this year: the Nether- Kelley: “Along with Amazon and Meta, there are moments — a chance encounter at the line to get
lands, Switzerland, France and a new pavilion from large companies such as LG, Samsung, Microsoft, coffee or you’re sitting next to somebody at dinner.
the Congo, which is our first African pavilion. We Panasonic and Sony, among others. Some of these Then all of a sudden, a partnership strikes up or this
also have a pavilion from Ukraine as well, which is even have a presence in multiple areas of the new idea develops. It’s about the kind of magic that
an interesting story to see. Upstairs in the Venetian show.” happens with those spontaneous moments.”
we have smart home technologies and accessories
and then there’s also an extension of the start-up Dealerscope: How will the digital component work
pavilions showing how that the next phase works; in conjunction with the live event?
these are more like ‘scale-ups.’
Kelley: “It will have multiple functions. First it will
The third primary property that we occupy is the allow exhibitors to showcase what they’re display-
Aria hotel, which is for what we call C Space. This is ing at CES in a virtual environment. They can upload
an area dedicated to the marketing, advertising and marketing materials, videos, etc. and allow our
branding community. We do two days of confer- attendees to access those. There is also a connec-
ence programs over there, and we have exhibits and tions tool that will — as part of the digital offering
meeting rooms. For instance, Amazon Advertising, — allow exhibitors and attendees to connect one-
Google and Meta have a large presence over there.” on-one. Fifty plus sessions will be livestreamed
during the show on the platform, and then post
Dealerscope: What new technologies are you show more than a hundred sessions will be availa-
expecting to see? ble for video on demand that can be viewed through
that platform. Our aim is to keep the platform open

44 | DECEMBER 2022 |

FEATURE | GADGETS

SMART TAG ADOPTION –

COMMON OR CONTROVERSIAL?

A look at the pros and cons of this popular stocking stuffer

By Sarah Lee, Research Analyst, Parks Associates

The smart tag market is growing but still has a lot of potential ahead. According did so out of concern for someone’s (likely their child’s) safety. Together, this
to Parks Associates’ research, 95 million smart tags will be sold in the U.S. by implies that most individuals engaging in this behavior are well-meaning parents
2027, an increase from almost 16 million in 2022, as consumers use these solu- who are using smart tags to keep an eye out on their children.
tions to track valuables, pets and even other people. Companies making smart tags must be aware of how consumers are inevitably
using their products – intended or not – and work to provide the best and safest
Smart tags are an easy, portable and relatively inexpensive solution to a common solution going forward for the general public.
consumer need – to find things. Though the product category existed before, Ap-
ple’s entry in 2021 validated the smart tag category and accelerated competition The smart tag market is only beginning and has the potential to move into new
in the market. Several factors point to future growth: use cases as consumers become more creative with how they track their valu-
ables, as well as what is considered worth tracking. Increasing concerns over
• Positive user experience: Consumers who own a smart tag report being privacy and misuse are becoming more prevalent, however. With consumers
satisfied with its ability to help them find their lost or stolen valuables. inevitably using smart tags to track people, companies need to present counter-
measures to combat potential misuse, even if only by well-intending caregivers.
• Bundling and accessories: Smart tags are relatively low-priced devices that This research is from Parks Associates’ Smart Product Market Assessment:
can be bundled together as a pack or attached to a smartphone sale. They also Smart Tags, Personal Trackers and Asset Protection. For more information on
call for their own accessories, driving up the value of the purchase. consumer adoption, usage, and attitudes regarding the emerging market for
Bluetooth trackers, please visit www.ParksAssociates.com.
• Evolving use cases: As the technology continues to evolve, smart tag products
and services will continue to evolve with it, opening up with new use cases for
the devices and increasing in popularity among consumers.

Smart tag adoption is becoming more common and controversial, with an 8
percent household adoption rate, there is still much room for growth in the smart
tag market, according to Parks Associates. This is positive, but there is a stark
contrast between smart tag purchase intentions and actual smart tag purchases.
The research firm finds that 23 percent of households said there is a high likeli-
hood they will purchase a smart tag in the next six months, but only 1 percent of
households surveyed actually purchased their device within the last six months.
With current economic conditions likely weighing on consumer’s minds, smart
tags may not be seen as a necessary purchase despite the low price tag.
Consumers are interested in smart tags and see value in their originally intended
use – to efficiently locate misplaced items. Apple, though a recent entrant to this
space, is the current market leader.

Unexpectedly, however, 32 percent of respondents admitted to using this tech-
nology to track another person without their knowledge, which has potentially
dangerous implications for public safety. Parks Associates reports that of the
32 percent who reported using smart tags to track another person without their
knowledge, 89 percent have children in the home. Further, 45 percent report they

| DECEMBER 2022 | 45

COLUMN | SOCIAL MEDIA

TECH GIFTS FOR The holidays have begun, and there’s one thing that
SOCIAL MEDIA stumps consumers every year: what makes a good gift.
CONTENT In the social media world, videos are the hot new way to
CREATORS start a trend and they aren’t going anywhere soon. While not
everyone is a full-time content creator on social media, having
The best ideas for whatever content tools to ease the process is always helpful. Here are some con-
the consumer makes sumer electronic products that are good gifts for social media
content creators and beginners in the social media realm. 
BY BRENDA THELUSCA
Best For Moving Subjects 

As I have said in previous articles, most social media content
creators start somewhere, and they mainly have to film videos
themselves. There is a product called the Pivo Pod that has AI
video tracking for creators that are more dynamic and like to
move around. This makes it easier for creators to continue film-
ing without worrying if they are still in the center of the frame.
The Pivo Pod retails for $139.99 right now, but the Lite version
runs for $79.99. The Pivo Pod Lite does not come with a remote
or the Premium Tracking options, which makes it slower than
the original. However both devices have a list of what content is
the best fit for the product, such as fast movements like danc-
ing or slower movement for a timelapse.  
 

iPod Lite

46 | DECEMBER 2022 |

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Best For Close-Ups they can rely on the gimbal. The smartphone gimbal the networking process and can incentivize people
kit comes with three gimbal pieces that need to be to connect with the user. This gadget could help
For creators that need a close camera shot to assembled: a charger, a storage pouch and a wrist companies and creators grow followers on social
record their work process, an overhead phone strap — all for $99.  and gives consumers the chance to meet the per-
tripod that can attach to a flat surface can get son behind the screen. Now that we have quickly
those personal shots. A phone tripod is set up for Best For Live Interviews moved to an age where almost everything is done
overhead shots for more artistic creators that want digitally, it becomes harder to network and build up
to show their work as they create it. This tripod is A Bluetooth phone microphone for people who like new work relationships. When using Popl, creators
also useful for creators who do reviews or want to do on-the-street interviews. The microphone have the chance to introduce their digital as well as
to show their audience a closer look at a certain should be Bluetooth since phones no longer have their in-person persona. 
product. These types of tripods are easy to find and headphone jacks unless the person mainly films  
can be bought through online retailers like Amazon. with a professional camera. I would suggest buying All these gifts are a great idea to get people
These tripods are usually priced from $25 to $50, two separate mics so the person receiving the inspired and motivated to create more on social
and some versions have ring lights attached. mic has one for themselves and another for their media. Having the right tools can be a motivator
interviewee or as a backup in case one of the mics to create more videos. Having a set of video equip-
Best For Public Events doesn’t work properly. The Sabenetek Smart Mike ment for content creation can get expensive, es-
Lite goes for $85 or $99.00 depending on the color pecially when trying to improve the quality of video
If the creator wants to film footage while out in choice and the mic works for both iOS and Android content. With the holidays quickly approaching a
public, a static tripod stand takes up a lot of room, devices.  few of these items or similar products might be on
and the space they are in might be too overcrowded    sale, so now is the best time to start searching for
to set up a tripod. A smartphone gimbal might be social media tech tools before they are gone. 
a better solution. Gimbals are often used for film- Best For Connecting
ing and can help stabilize the camera for smooth
footage. The DJI OM 4 SE Smartphone Gimbal with Even on social media people need to network, but
Magnetic Phone Clamp 2 Kit can help creators get not everyone has the time to search for people on
the perfect footage while in a crowded space.   LinkedIn. Especially after attending a seminar, it’s
hard to remember every single person you met
The smartphone gimbal doesn’t require balancing and memorize their contact information. While
the camera before operating like DJI Ronin-SC, business cards are a good solution, they can get
which works with professional DSLRs. The main lost easily or have incorrect information that can’t
trick with gimbals is learning how to balance the be updated immediately, causing someone the
camera so the weight is held properly by the device, chance of making a connection. The company Popl
but the smartphone version has a magnetic clamp has made a social media tool for creators to share
that will keep users’ phones securely attached and their information as quickly as possible. In the Popl
centered on the device. The device also has active Bundle, the consumer will receive three products:
tracking so if users can’t keep up with their subject, a keychain, a wristband and a Popl dot. Each one of
these products can share your contact informa-
tion, social media, portfolio, website, payment
apps, music platforms and more. This eliminates
the need for physical business cards, speeds up

48 | DECEMBER 2022 |



MIKO3
A truly hands-on review with a fun and educational robot for children

BY ERINN LOUCKS

When it comes to parenting, I tend to have IFA this year. This approximately foot high, brightly Miko would just be like an iPad on wheels. I soon
old-fashioned views. I had this ideal colored robot is intended to be part educational, found out that when it comes to kids’ entertain-
image of taking walks in the park, part fun, with AI to help it interact with kids and ment and education, Miko puts the iPad to shame.
identifying different plants in the yard and calmly grow with them. According to the company, over a
coloring at the kitchen table. While I do get three-month period kids who actively used Miko A Warning about Set Up
glimpses of that idyllic picture, most of the time experienced a 55 percent increase in speaking
parenting is a lot messier and chaotic. And then you proficiency, 46 percent increase in physical activity Now a caveat. The Miko 3 is meant for ages 4-10,
throw a robot into the picture. and a 55 percent increase in engagement. and my son is just turning two. Any testing I did
directly with him needs to be taken with a grain of
As the only Dealerscope editor with a child, I Since I try to avoid too much screentime for my salt. However, even the most patient kid might get
volunteered to Unbox the Miko 3, which we saw at son, I originally doubted these statistics; I worried annoyed if their parent does not start up and
personalize Miko before handing it over. The

50 | DECEMBER 2022 |