Audio device sales hit US$5.23 billion in first half of 2018

Research house GfK has announced that global sales of audio devices hit US$5.23 billion in the first half of 2018 – an increase of 5% year-on-year. GfK also claims that there is still growth potential in smart devices with embedded voice assistants or high-performance features that enhance the listening experience. Revenues for headphones and headsets contributed US$2.33 billion with 59 million units sold in the first half of 2018. Europe (without CIS) and APAC accounted for more than 85% of the global headphone and headset revenues. Read full story

DISTREE EMEA drives new distribution deals

DISTREE Events has revealed the findings of its post-event distributor research* for DISTREE Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) 2018, which took place in Monaco in February. Based on this year’s findings, there was an average of 4.02 signed distribution agreements per exhibitor at DISTREE EMEA 2018, with a further 4.27 currently under negotiation for each participating brand. Read full story

i-Life signs distribution deal in Pakistan

Fast-growing device brand i-Life has signed Muller & Phipps (M&P), a subsidiary of Techsirat, as a distribution partner in Pakistan. i-Life is one of fastest growing PC brands in the region with presence across 50 countries spanning the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, CIS, India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Deepak Bhatia, i-Life’s global director for sales and marketing, said: “M&P unparalleled reach it a natural choice for Pakistan market. We are happy to partner with M&P to continue bringing world-class yet affordable products for consumers across Pakistan.” Read full story

ELKO grows Polish sales 60%

Emerging markets distributor ELKO boosted sales in Poland 60% in the first half of 2018, compared to the previous six months. ELKO Group started operating in the Polish market in 2017, recruiting a local sales team for IT and consumer electronic goods. The rapid growth rate means that ELKO’s Polish branch is now among the top 15 largest wholesalers in the region, according to ELKO. Read full story

New Structured Wishlist system launched for DISTREE EMEA

DISTREE Events has launched a new Structured Wishlist system for its flagship hosted buyer tech and consumer electronics (CE) channel event. Confirmed exhibitors participating at DISTREE Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) 2019, which takes place on February 19th to 22nd in Monaco, will have access to the new system, which allows them to nominate specific channel partners they wish to hold one-on-one meetings with at the event. Read full feature

New Global Buyer Programme announced for DISTREE EMEA 2019 channel event

DISTREE Events has launched a new Global Buyer Programme (GBP) for its flagship hosted buyer tech and consumer electronics (CE) channel event. For the first time, a selection of VIP distributors, retailers and e-tailers from Asia and the Americas will be invited to next year’s DISTREE Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), which takes place in Monaco from February 19-22nd 2019. Read full feature