Today’s market is unique, as we are entering a post-recession era that requires all retailers and marketers in the CE industry to stay in-tune with the new affluent consumer in order to remain in business. Unity Marketing has conducted an in-depth attitudes and motivations study of the luxury consumer market.

High-end specialty dealer Audio High of Mountain View, California, today hosts an "Evening of Excellence," an event that celebrates a newly remodeled showroom and home theater, rebuilt using Meridian's 810 Video Reference System, as well as the company's digital loudspeaker system.

The show floor of the CEDIA Expo opens tomorrow, but today the press got a look at some of the latest products and technology previews from several manufacturers. Here are some of the highlights:

New and exciting developments are taking place at California Audio Technology (CAT) and Newport Audio. They recently came to an agreement with Andrew Ard at DesignTech Marketing, Inc. in launching a new sales and marketing plan to work closely with their architects, builders, and designers. This new collaboration is based on mutual standards of quality.  “The implementation of any plan requires the insight of people who have proven track records in their areas of expertise.

Why showrooms are working for dealers and vendors

The deepening economic recession is still in full force. Cutbacks at every level of the distribution chain are still happening and businesses all over the CE world are making adjustments to stay afloat. Smart owners and managers know that cutbacks can't simply be made across the board, especially when it comes to attracting new customers. Amidst hard times, some dealers, and even vendors, are putting money into building or renovating their showrooms to do 
just that.

World Wide Stereo went on a mission to promote audio this week with an event called “Music Matters.” The long time A/V retail store started by Bob Cole, which turned 30 this year, operates two stores in the southeast Pennsylvania region. It created an invitation-only event for customers that focused on promoting the audio side of the business.

If networking for a small business is hard enough, imagine having to do it in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. On the islands of Hawaii, finding opportunities is an even harder game. Being based in the small chain of islands with the nearest land mass  over 2,300 miles away means dealers in this tropical paradise need to be on the top of their game. That's why consumer electronics rep firm Pride of Hawaii recently held an event that connected the audio/video world with the architectural and design industries.

This week Talk of the Town of Allendale, New Jersey, celebrated the re-opening of one of its showrooms, a heavily redesigned space that features seven home theater and home automation rooms. In addition to home cinema, the facility was rebuilt to highlight home automation technologies for families looking to improve their house while the economy go through this rough patch. It also serves as an environment to educate architects and interior designers.