As the profile of the technology consumer continues to rapidly evolve, our tendency is to focus on products that fit their lifestyles. We research the hottest trends among traditional and emerging categories to determine which products will see the most success at retail. While this should certainly be at the core of any successful Consumer Electronics strategy, it’s important not to overlook the people who are in the driver’s seat – the consumers.

We can research, strategize and plan endlessly, but if we are failing to fully identify with the ones who are demanding innovation in CE, we’ll miss the point and ultimately, opportunities for increased revenue.

In order to ramp up sales in 2015, retailers need to ask exactly what today’s consumer needs and wants. Ultimately, they are the trend-seekers who have tasked us with keeping pace. At a high level, what exactly are they looking for? Here are a few of my top considerations as we head into the new year.

They require everything to be connected
Empowering consumers during the transition to the Internet of Things (IoT) era isn’t just a goal any more; it’s tangible, and critical for success at retail. Cisco’s Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG) projects that there will be 50 billion connected devices by 2020. Beyond being connected, today’s leading-edge devices are about solving real-life problems like improving the user’s health, securing their home or keeping track of their children.

Core products such as tablets, notebooks and headphones are also doing more than making technology accessible to its users. Devices are taking human needs into account and considering how lifestyle comes into play. Even the automotive industry is considering how they can keep drivers connected by offering 3G bandwidth in several automobile models last year, with more options to come in 2015. Technology buzzwords that have been talked about for years – smart, connected, intuitive and seamless – have become table stakes across the board.

Source:

http://www.dealerscope.com/article/keeping-pace-today-s-technology-consumer/1/