TCI Insights: Technology Sales in EMEA Retail Up 2% for Holiday 2010 Season

Tech Channel Index (TCI) reported that EMEA retail sales of technology products were up slightly more than 2% for the November/December holiday period. Interestingly, the US Black Friday shopping trend seems to be spreading to Europe as many retailers introduced the concept of Black Friday by offering products on discount during the festive season.

In the chart below, TCI data shows that European retail sales grew in the black Friday week (11/27) by 12 % on YOY basis. Inventory levels were significantly lower than historical averages for the holiday period, possibly indicating reluctance to risk overstocking goods.

Visit the TCI Momentum Index for an up-to-date weekly history of channel sales volume globally or regionally. Additionally, get ongoing channel updates by following TCI on Twitter at #ZymeTCI

TCI Insights: Technology Sales in EMEA Retail Up 2% for Holiday 2010 Season

Tech Channel Index (TCI) reported that EMEA retail sales of technology products were up slightly more than 2% for the November/December holiday period. Interestingly, the US Black Friday shopping trend seems to be spreading to Europe as many retailers introduced the concept of Black Friday by offering products on discount during the festive season.

In the chart below, TCI data shows that European retail sales grew in the black Friday week (11/27) by 12 % on YOY basis. Inventory levels were significantly lower than historical averages for the holiday period, possibly indicating reluctance to risk overstocking goods.

Visit the TCI Momentum Index for an up-to-date weekly history of channel sales volume globally or regionally. Additionally, get ongoing channel updates by following TCI on Twitter at #ZymeTCI

Planning for Growth – What’s Next for the Trillion-Dollar High-Tech Industry?

At the International CES event last month in Las Vegas, CEA announced that worldwide sales of high-tech & consumer electronics products were projected to be within shouting distance of $1 trillion in 2011. Technology companies are thinking hard about how to manage this growth efficiently and invest in appropriate operational excellence initiatives. Based on a survey of COOs, an Accenture report on the Future of High-Tech and Electronics indicates three strategic imperatives to help achieve effective operations in this upcoming growth phase:

• Charting new growth trajectories
• Organizing for worldwide innovation
• Leveraging the broader ecosystem

While innovation and growth have always been at the top for CXOs, it is interesting to see that the importance of alliances, channel partners and suppliers is seen as an area of investment. For example, best-in-class technology companies leverage their channel partner networks to differentiate themselves, improve speed-to-market, identify new opportunities that they may not have uncovered on their own, and improve visibility to end customers. It’s no surprise that at a recent quarterly business review, a Zyme customer remarked how a granular view of channel activity worldwide has given them an important market advantage.

Planning for Growth – What’s Next for the Trillion-Dollar High-Tech Industry?

At the International CES event last month in Las Vegas, CEA announced that worldwide sales of high-tech & consumer electronics products were projected to be within shouting distance of $1 trillion in 2011. Technology companies are thinking hard about how to manage this growth efficiently and invest in appropriate operational excellence initiatives. Based on a survey of COOs, an Accenture report on the Future of High-Tech and Electronics indicates three strategic imperatives to help achieve effective operations in this upcoming growth phase:

• Charting new growth trajectories
• Organizing for worldwide innovation
• Leveraging the broader ecosystem

While innovation and growth have always been at the top for CXOs, it is interesting to see that the importance of alliances, channel partners and suppliers is seen as an area of investment. For example, best-in-class technology companies leverage their channel partner networks to differentiate themselves, improve speed-to-market, identify new opportunities that they may not have uncovered on their own, and improve visibility to end customers. It’s no surprise that at a recent quarterly business review, a Zyme customer remarked how a granular view of channel activity worldwide has given them an important market advantage.