Games consoles drive electrical sector growth

Games and games consoles are expected to account for 82.3% of total growth in the electrical sector this year, according to a new report. Retail analysts Verdict Research says that without games consoles the total market would grow by just 0.8% instead of the 4.2% it is forecasting.

The UK Electrical Retailers report says that the £3.4bn games console and software sectors have been boosted by the launch of Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo’s Wii, which continued to show strong demand after being launched at the end of 2006.

The £24.3bn electricals market was the fastest growing retail sector in 2006 drive by sales of flat panel TVs but retailers have struggled to boost volumes this year in the face of price deflation.

Further price deflation and new product launches are expected to drive interest in electricals into 2008.