CEA Hardware Growth Predictions At CES Will Influence Search Campaigns
by Laurie Sullivan, January 07, 2015
It may not mean much to search marketers now, but the Consumer Electronics Association, the organization that monitors growth in the electronics hardware sector, estimates that industry revenue will reach $223.2 billion this year, up 3% from the prior year.
The data, released Tuesday, projects that revenue in 2015 for new, emerging product categories will double — up 108% year-over-year. The new technology categories include 3D printers; 4K ultra-high definition televisions; connected thermostats; unmanned systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned vehicles and home robots; IP cameras; and wearables such as health and fitness devices, smartwatches and smart eyewear.
The emerging product categories represent less than 5% of the entire CE industry revenue forecast, and they are expected to contribute nearly $11 billion to overall CE revenue this year.
CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro believes the forecast underscores consumers’ love for technology that shows no signs of slowing any time soon.
The U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecasts, the semiannual industry report released Tuesday by CEA, estimates overall wearable unit sales will reach 30.9 million units, 61% compared with last year, and generate $5.1 billion in revenue in 2015, up 133%, respectfully.
Even Intel will refocus on wearable devices. Intel CEO Brian Krzanich will present a blueprint for the future of the company in wearable technology and the Internet of Things.
Health and fitness devices and those that track activities will lead unit sales among all wearables in 2015, with a projected 20 million units shipped. Revenue is expected to exceed $1.8 billion for this category in 2015.
Companies are projected to sell 10.8 million units — up 359% from the prior year — earning a projected $3.1 billion in revenue, up 474% compared with 2014.
Smartphone unit shipments are projected to reach 169.3 million this year, up 6% from 2014. Revenue from the handheld devices should generate $51.3 billion in 2015, up 5% compared with 2014. Screen sizes between 5.3 inches and 6.5 inches will see the most growth. Unit sales of tablets should reach 80.7 million this year, up 3% from 2014, but revenue will fall 1% to $24.9 billion.
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