Technology news and Jobs 
VIRTUALISATION Kogan’s throws gauntlet at rising prices
VIRTUALISATION Kogan’s throws gauntlet at rising prices | Kogan’s throws gauntlet at rising prices |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Thursday, 29 January 2009 | |
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Forewarnings of rising consumer electronics prices have been underway since late last year, started by the local branches of multinational electronics companies flagging the falling Aussie dollar raising the cost of imports. This then led to the major retailers also announcing that price rises were on the way, both in January and February, as old stock got sold off and newer, more expensive stock landed on the showroom floor. The forewarnings were meant to be a public service so consumers could beat rising prices, but the cynical types also thought it might be a way to nudge consumers into actually spending money NOW rather than later. After all, even if prices do rise, what happens if few people actually buy and stock stays on store shelves? You have sales, lower prices, store closures and more to shift stock. It’s bad for retailers, but good for consumers, and if brick and mortar retailers get badly damaged by the downturn, more stores will close and greater efforts at online sales will ensue. Kogan Technologies is already well down the online path, something popularised by Dell over many years (although Dell has moved down the retail path in Australia while still enjoying a massive online presence). Kogan says that its prices will either stay the same, or in many cases will actually be lowered, just as retail stores are raising prices. Given that Kogan sells “high definition LCD TVs, Blu-ray players, GPS devices and video cameras” it could become an even greater thorn in the side of traditional retailers than it already is. Kogan Technologies founder Ruslan Kogan said “NEC’s forthcoming departure from the Australian television and consumer electronics market will further decrease competition. NEC joins Hitachi, Fujitsu, and Philips who have ceased consumer electronics sales in the last twelve months.” Kogan added: “It’s proof that when times get tough, the big players are not fast or flexible enough to cope with changes in the Australian market.” Kogan’s comments continue on page 2, please read on! |
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