Appliance Industry Review and Statistics: First-Half 2011

The predicted consumer electronics segment growth rate for 2011 has increased 2.1% since January. Originally projected at a 3.5% growth rate, the Consumer Electronics Association indicated in July 2011 that this segment may surpass $190 billion in overall shipment revenues for full-year 2011, for a growth rate of 5.6%. Tablet computers are anticipated to increase the most, 157% in 2011, with more than 26.5 million units shipped. Smartphone sales will continue to be the primary revenue driver for the industry with sales climbing 45%, bringing in more than $23 billion in revenue. eReader unit sales are expected to double in 2011, with more than 16.5 million units shipped, for $1.8 billion in revenue. The road to recovery is still in progress despite numerous signs of improvement from late 2009 through early 2011. Most Americans have not fully restored their faith in the economy due to the slow progression. The slow turnaround of the housing market, the collapse of the banking system, and rising unemployment rates still have consumers worried, negatively impacting consumer spending. The economic recovery has been quite different for lower-income U.S. households, representing 50% of the population, than for more-affluent consumers that represent 18% of the population. The Sentiment Index has showed that recovery for more-affluent households began in February 2010. For lower-income households, the Sentiment Index bottomed in October 2009 and has only risen slightly since then. Unemployment for this group has been declining while spending has remained stagnant since June 2009. The core group of major appliances was down 5.1% in the first six months of 2011 compared to the first six months of 2010. Compactor shipments fell the most, down 9.2%. Disposers was the only shipment category to increase, up 2.2%. In terms of HVAC units, oil warm air furnaces decreased the most, down 9%, while central air-conditioners increased 13%.

Additional Information

This report provides expert analysis and statistical data on unit shipments for the first half of 2011 including major appliances, air conditioning and heating units, and consumer electronics as well as an overview of the appliance industry.