By Craig Zammit
SYDNEY: Recent Informark data has revealed that Pebble Electronics’ range of Conia products is continuing to build momentum in the marketplace with market share on the rise, prompting Pebble Electronics general manager, Nicholas Fry, to predict a top five brand ranking.
“I’m not sure many people would automatically think of Conia as a top 10 brand, but more than that, we plan to grow from the number seven brand to be a top five brand very soon.”
Conia’s new range of LCD panels, released last month, have been “extremely well received” claimed Fry, with the “sell-in and sell-out tremendous throughout April and May”.
“We are genuinely excited about our new product range and our trading partners have shared our excitement and got behind the products really enthusiastically,” he told Current.com.au.
Fry’s enthusiasm was reflected in industry statistics from Informark’s April report, which showed Conia’s LCD market share increased significantly as a result of strong retail sell-in volume for the new range.
“Our market share in April (unit) sales for the 19-inch screen size segment has grown to 21.5 per cent, a great result. The rest of our line up has also increased our market share and the best news is that the product has been selling out extremely well,” Fry said.
“Informark’s latest report for January to April 2007 tells us that in unit sales we’ve got a 22.9 per cent market share in 34cm TV, 20.8 per cent market share in 51cm TV, and that overall in all TV sales, including our great performance in LCD and plasma sales, we have the seventh biggest sales result of all brands — a tremendous achievement when you consider the number of brands available on the market."
Fry also revealed to Current.com.au what he described as “some of the most daring, exciting and innovative product launches of all time” planned for July and August.
“We’ve been very busy planning for the second half of this year, and we will soon announce three products which will take the market by storm.
“It’s going to be a very exciting 07/08 and our trading partners share our excitement. With the plans we have in place and our customer’s continued enthusiasm for our profitable, saleable and reliable product range, we’re looking ahead with much enthusiasm.
“As evidence of our ability to move with the times and plan strategically, the market shift from CRT TV to Plasma and LCD had the potential to upset our business and sales plans, but we’ve made an excellent transition over the past two years. This is reflected in our year-to-date sales for 2007 and our market shares in both flat panel and CRT. As well as our continued strength in DVD players, DVD recorders and our expansive white goods range.”
Pebble’s new range of Conia LCD TVs is available through its traditional trading partners; The Good Guys, Harvey Norman, Dick Smith Electronics, JB Hi-Fi and selected Retravision stores.