Growth forecast for consumer electronics market in 2009

Market researchers with the GfK Group say that retail sales of liquid crystal display (LCD) and plasma televisions have contributed significantly to the growth of the digital consumer technology sector. The LCD television market is valued at $4bn and the group's monitor for the Middle East's domestic appliances market anticipates further growth in the region, particularly in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Demonstrating a shared confidence in the market, high-end appliance retailer Better Life has launched a range of television and non-television products from innovative German designers Grundig.

"Innovation is what keeps driving the consumer electronics market forward, and Grundig has always been at the forefront of this movement. It was the first company to develop the 100 hz techonolgy for television and continues to innovate. The latest range features superior imaging with forward technology pictures and Grundig's legendary sound,"

commented Ajai Kumar Dayal, General Manager Retail and Marketing, Easa Saleh Al Gurg.

A range of premium LCD televisions will make up the majority of Grundig products available in Better Life stores. The televisions boast motion picture improvement technology which prevents motion blur and ensures a striking, high-resolution picture. The '24p Movie Mode' provides for the ultimate in film viewing with a replay of 24 images per second.

"We are very pleased to re-enter the UAE market after a gap of few years with an outstanding range of new products which have proven themselves in the European market. We are pleased to continue our association of over 40 years with the Easa Saleh Al Gurg group and Better Life," said Can Dincer, Sales Director (Global) Grundig.

The televisions range from the entry-level Vision 6 series to the top-of-the-line Vision 9 series. The Vision 6 model is high-definition (HD) ready while series 7 to 9 offer full HD resolution. A separate home theatre system is unnecessary as the televisions boast top-quality sound thanks to 16 inbuilt conical speakers with three-dimensional sound projection. The high-performance Konus speakers generate sound waves which reverberate off the walls of the room to create a true home-cinema feel.

The televisions are supported by a variety of stylish accessories including digital video broadcasting (DVB) receivers, Blu-ray players and DVD players. And for consumers that want to make their sound a fashionable feature, the retro-style Audiorama spherical speakers have made a comeback and can be set-up as floor standing or suspended from the ceiling.

"Grundig is a premium brand with an international reputation for top-quality audio-visual products. We are very positive about re-introducing these pioneering appliances to our Better Life stores," Dayal concluded.