The EU financial crisis is scary to say the least, but i think holidays will always be holidays. Credit cards aren't common where i come from, so people actually save up to burn money during the holidays. Time will tell though, but i can bet that alot of cash will still be thrown arround this season.
@nemos, right, a lot of the holiday electronics spending will obviously not be for personal use, but for gifts.
I think it's pretty common for people to not buy things for themselves due to financial concerns, but to put those concerns aside when they're buying gifts.
I'm not planning on any electronics for myself any time soon, but of course I'll be buying plenty this holiday season as gifts. My personal computer/electronics upgrades can wait.
When I see all the reports pushed out by Analysts on the issue of European Demand one thing puzzles me for than most.Hardly anyone is willing to acknowledge the extent of Demand destruction that Austerity is going to wreck on the Eurozone.
Going through the numbers,we are looking at Double-Digit fall in Demand for most Consumer Discretionory items(this is where Electronics fall) across countries as diverse as Portugal,Greece,Ireland,Spain,Italy and France.And people expect the US to pick up the slack for that kind of a fall???
Ain't happening folks.Ain't happening.
Here's a fascinating article which looks at some of the Dimensions of the issue at hand here.
"I'm planning to stand in the electronics section of the nearby department stores and check out who's buying what..." Really ? ahahhaha like a spy or a detective . I think most of the stuff we buy during those days is not for ourselves but gifts. Ask a kid about that what would answer?
The holiday season is such funny time, huh? People generally know what they can or can't afford, but something happens once you're at the mall or scanning online retail shops. Think we mostly cast aside our budget allocations, and then complain about credit card bills until the end of Jan. Over the next few weeks, I'm planning to stand in the electronics section of the nearby department stores and check out who's buying what...
We have been living in a consumerism society where people use to buy more than they need and can afford.
I want to believe that today's economy has cut this to certain degrees. Now, you do not buy what you don't need. People that fall into Credit card temptation in our dizy economy have not learnt the lesson that the card has the teeth and it can bite. When it bites, it can reach the marrow.
It is very natural that a unique time like Chritmas will not pass without the heart of meriment. People will lay aside their challenges and enter into the cheerful mood and they will in turn after dDec 26th, pick their challenges up again. Challenges in the world economy may impact people a bit by cutting down the expenses but one way or the other, everyone will still pay attention to ho-ho-ho-Santa.
I do agree with you that it is possible but I bet you Christmas shop sales will be fairly strong again this year.
@FLYINGSCOT, I really hope that we will see strong sales number this qurter because this is going to define the future course of slowdown. So people go ahead and shop a lot...lets push those sales number up :).
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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