Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JANUARY 2017 46 T here are great products ahead for IFA Berlin in September. At IFA's media reception in Las Vegas, held January 5th, IFA partners GfK, Alibaba, Gome, Philips, Teufel/ Raumfeld and PowerVison presented a market outlook, retail-strategies and latest product innovations in the fields of technical consumer goods, healthcare, audio and drones to 100+ journalists. Juergen Boyny, global director consumer electronics, GfK Retail and Technology was the first guest at the IFA media reception who presented a latest market overview. "In 2016, the digital market generated nearly 1,000 billion USD. It is a vital market driven by innovation. The next 'big thing' is not a single product but a tremendous number of connected devices," Boyny said. Picking up on Boyny´s forecasts Jens Heithecker, vice president Messe Berlin and IFA executive director emphasized that, "After all, it's the quality of the retail channel that is the key to the success of a brand. That's why both IFA and CE China are such important platforms for the consumer electronics industry." Also, the Chinese number one online-retailer, Alibaba, is backing the CE China concept. At the IFA media reception Morgan Wu, head of marketing & branding at Tmall 3C & Home Appliances said, "Alibaba is the world's biggest internet commerce economy and ecosystem and the first choice of leading global brands. I believe CE China will once again be an unprecedented and unparalleled event for trade and industry." Winkin Liao, general manager of GOME Holdings stated subsequently, "Users have shifted their focus from the price alone to quality, light luxury products, and individuality. Gome strives to become a retail leader in the new age." WHAT DOES 2017 IFA HAVE IN STORE? Philips introduced a medical baby app, uGrow. The uGrow parenting platform connects wirelessly to a suite of Philips products and other connected devices. Liat Ben-Zur, senior vice president and head of connected digital propositions and platforms explained, "Healthcare is changing in every single way. Philips tries to connect consumers IOT devices with medical knowledge. Our latest product line uGrow is built to decrease the stress of parents and to introduce a new dimension of parenting." Sascha Mallah, CEO of Germany's largest audio manufacturer Teufel, provided a brief introduction of the Berlin-based company and its history. Teufel has previously entered the US market with its streaming audio product range under the brand name, 'Raumfeld'. Further, he introduced among a range of products the world's most powerful BT speaker, Teufel Rockster. "450 watts amplifiers and 115 dB will fill even large outdoor spaces with a sound experience you´ve never heard before," Mallah stated. "With pioneering design, PowerVision's powerful and portable drones, the PowerEgg and PowerEye, will be flying towards a bright future," said Chris Leigh, sales director Europe of Power- Vision. He also introduced his latest innovative product, the Power Ray Fish Finder, sort of an underwater drone. It delivers detailed information on fish distribution, underwater temperature, depth, underwater landscape and fish alerts. SAVE THE DATES! • April 20–23: IFA Global Press Conference, Portugal • May 4–6: CE China, Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, China • September 1–6: IFA, Berlin Exhibition Grounds CE CHINA CE China is the consumer electronics and home appliances trade show for the Chinese and pan-Asian market. It will take place May 4–6, 2017 in Shenzhen, China. IFA BERLIN IFA is the world's leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances. IFA 2017 will take place September 1–6 at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds (Expo Center City). IFA 2017: PASSION FOR TECHNICAL GOODS Driving the global market for consumer electronics and home appliances S H O W N E W S RO

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