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Sony Electronics takes top spot in U.S. television sales for 2006

SAN DIEGO — Led by sales of its high-definition BRAVIA LCD flat-panel televisions and Grand WEGA rear-projection micro-displays, Sony Electronics achieved number one total TV market share in the United States in dollars and units for 2006, according The NPD Group's retail tracking service.

Sony beat the next closest competitor by 5 percent in total television dollar market share, while also holding the advantage in overall TV unit sales.

"Sony continued its leadership position in LCD and micro-displays in 2006, obtaining the absolute number one position in all the digital television categories in which it participates," said Randy Waynick, senior vice president of Sony's Home Products Division. "When you combine the key digital TV categories, specifically LCD and micro-display, Sony's overall dollar share outpaced the closest competitor by 21 percent for January 2006
to November 2006."

Added Steve Baker, vice president of industry analysis for NPD: "Sony's leadership position in television in 2006 has been consistent over the past few years. What makes this performance impressive is the number of competitors in the TV space continues to grow at a staggering pace."

According to Baker, the latest 2006 figures continue a trend of Sony's number one share in total TV dollar sales which it has held year to year since 2003 — as evidenced by NPD's most current monthly dataset which dates back to 2003.

Specifically, Sony's LCD flat-panel televisions had an 8 percent dollar share lead over the next closest competitor in the U.S. for 2006, according to NPD. Sony also led the nation in unit share in both the LCD flat-panel and micro-display categories. In micro-display, it had a 21 percent greater dollar share than the next closest competitor.

"The numbers tell the story," added Waynick, "When it comes to market leadership in television, Sony is at the top of the charts. There can only be one number one."

Kodak launches small business design service

ROCHESTER, N.Y — Eastman Kodak Co. has launched the Kodak Creative Network, a new, online design and printing solution for the small office/home office market. Distinguished by online convenience and professional design tools and assistance, Kodak Creative Network gives entrepreneurs the combined benefits of an experienced design firm and a high quality printing house and offers one-stop online shopping for the wide range of printed marketing materials essential for small business growth.

“For more than 100 years, Kodak has established itself as an innovator and leader in new imaging solutions,” said Mark Cook, Kodak’s Marketing Director, Consumer Imaging Services. “Kodak Creative Network is a natural extension of the high quality products and services our customers have grown to trust and respect from Kodak. Our latest service offering gives small business owners all the tools they need to design and print the professional materials that will help them stand out and grow their businesses.”

Kodak Creative Network’s unique and high-quality marketing materials provide the same look and feel of professionally-designed products at a fraction of the cost. They are easy to create with the design tools that are provided, such as industry-specific templates and finishing options including a variety of binding styles, unique sizes, and coatings. Customers enjoy the added convenience of having their orders delivered straight to their door.

Kodak Creative Network makes it even more economical for small business by offering ultra short run orders and no set-up fee, as well as providing professional consultations online at no additional cost. Customers’ orders are saved so future reordering is easy and hassle-free.

Small businesses—from real estate agents to beauty salons and home services—can tailor a broad range of products to suit their needs including business cards, postcards, flyers, calendars, posters, rack cards and sales sheets.

“The postcards I made with Kodak Creative Network were exactly what I was after to help promote my new business,” said Linda Witt, President, Witt & Witt Interior Design. "The site gave me the flexibility to tailor my designs and produce unique marketing collateral.”

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Online shoppers look for better way to return unwanted, damaged goods

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif — Online shopping has provided consumers with a wider selection of products with greater ability to get a lower price, but when it comes to returning goods bought online consumers are still looking for an easier process for dealing with product returns.

In a PriceRunner survey of 400 shoppers who have been purchasing online goods for between one and five years, the award-winning online comparison shopping engine found that almost 40 percent of survey respondents were not yet satisfied with returning items they had purchased online. They cited the top three reasons for returning an item online included:

— Item was damaged.

— Wrong item was shipped.

— Unwanted gift or duplicate.

While these were the top reasons, most other replies (totaling 61%), cited other reasons for returns - a large number of those comments claimed size, fit, color or a change of mind as the reason for return. For these reasons, respondents indicated that clothes, shoes and apparel are certainly more likely to get returned than any other consumer goods.

PriceRunner also delved into the frequency of returns and found that while 51.1 percent indicated they had never returned an item purchased online, 16.7 percent noted they had returned an item once, 15.3 percent twice, 5.5 percent three times, 3.5 percent four times and 7.9 percent five or more times. However, an interesting trend emerged when looking at how long someone had shopped online and frequency of return – the longer someone had shopped online, the less likely they were to return an order.

Survey respondents were asked to explain what bothered them about the item return process, and two answers were predominant: ‘having to pay the shipping costs for returning the item’, and the time and hassle associated with ‘standing in line at the post office’ to return an order.

"The PriceRunner survey findings reflect a general sentiment in the marketplace that online retailers' return processes have room for improvement," said Dan Gerler, founder and CEO of Onlineshoes.com, the nation's first online shoe retailer. "While our customer service team is equipped with extensive product and sizing information that reduces the likelihood of returns and exchanges, it's inevitable some customers will change their mind about orders in hindsight. We accommodate this reality by offering a simple, unconditional 90-day return policy and year-round free exchanges. These courtesies lower the purchase barrier for first-time shoppers and build long-term loyalty with repeat customers."

Martin Andersen, general manager of PriceRunner, notes that the site offers the following “Return to Sender” (http://www.pricerunner.com/returntosendertips.html) tips for reducing online shopper frustrations with the return process:

— Know thy vendor’s return policy. Before making an online purchase, review the return policy of the store. “If you’re not comfortable with the store’s return policies, compare them with other merchants and see if you can find a return policy you are comfortable with. This is all part of finding the best deal for you,” says Andersen.

— Follow the rules. Stores should have policies posted on their website, and it is important to follow the ‘step by step’ procedures for returning an item to the merchant. “Stay calm, stay rational, because if you follow the return authorization process, you will dramatically improve the chances that you have a smooth return experience,” says Andersen.

— Avoid opening the packaging. Upon receiving your order, compare your order confirmation email with the paperwork or the actual product that was sent to you. “If you were sent the wrong item, you will save yourself having to pay a restocking fee if you don’t open the product packaging,” says Andersen.

PriceRunner conducted the survey of online shoppers during the week of January 15, 2007.

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Survey: More fans prefer their couch and a hi def TV for the Super Bowl

RICHMOND, Va. — A new national survey commissioned by consumer electronics retailer Circuit City Stores found more Americans would rather see the Super Bowl on a new, high-definition TV than watch in the stadium where the game is actually played.

Not surprising, the survey of more than 4,500 men and women, found that 60 percent said football is the sporting event they most enjoy watching on TV — 72 percent of men and 48 percent of women.

When asked how they'd prefer watching the Super Bowl if they had a choice, 48 percent of respondents said they would rather view the game on a new HDTV versus 26 percent who said they’d prefer to attend the game.

Other survey findings:

— Fifty-one percent of respondents said they don't have an HDTV but they want one.

— Thirty-four percent said they plan to buy a high-def TV within the next year.

— Sporting events such as the Super Bowl prompt those who do not yet own an HDTV to want to buy one (49 percent of women and 60 percent of men).

— Almost half (45 percent) said they would be most inclined to invite friends over to watch the Super Bowl or other sporting events if they had an HDTV (29 percent said they'd invite guests to watch movies).

— More than a third (36 percent) said they plan to attend or host a Super Bowl party this year.

When asked what they most enjoy about attending Super Bowl parties 52 percent said getting together with friends, 20 percent said watching the game; 19 percent said watching the commercials; and 5 percent said the food and drinks.

Decision Analyst Inc. of Arlington, Texas, conducted the survey for Circuit City. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 points.