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MI retail on road to recovery
Rob Hughes Jan 25 2010, 4:21pm
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GfK's December figures show sales well ahead of yearly average
GfK’s retail audit of musical instrument sales in December showed the most positive figures for several months, proving that business was well ahead of the yearly average.
Although MI in general outperformed much of the non-food retailing sector during the year, electric guitar volume sales increased by seven per cent in December 2008, compared to an increase of only just over one per cent in 2009 as a whole. Exchange related price rises over the course of 2009 and ‘premiumisation’ meant stronger value growth than usual – in December the average electric guitar cost £283 compared to £239 last December, an increase of nearly a fifth. Taking these increased prices into account, the value market increased by a substantial 26 per cent on December 2008.
Other products shared in the good fortune, with digital drum kits (excluding drum machines) recording record volume sales of over 3,500 units and guitar amps maintaining their momentum of recent months, rising by over ten per cent.
The big-ticket digital piano sector, which has suffered somewhat more than other sectors during 2009, is also showing some green shoots. Sales of just under 5,000 units were up nearly a fifth on last December, compared to sales for the whole of 2009 which were down by 15 per cent.
“These positive figures for MI come during a month that returned the most positive general retail figures for some months, with value sales increasing by between four and six per cent, according to BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor December 2009,” explained GfK’s Matt Gibbs. “The fact that MI has recorded double digit growth in many key categories shows that even as the recovery gathers pace, MI retail is maintaining its position ahead of general retail.”
GfK records weekly and monthly sales data from a panel of over 25,000 outlets in the UK, including over 60 music specialists.
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“GfK "positive" December figures”
Posted by: Liesordamnlies - Feb 9, 5:04pm
Just recieved Gfk figures for December. Who do these guys talk to, or are they just putting a large multiplier on certain retailer figures? Or maybe they're getting numbers from Argos, Littlewoods and Tesco. I haven't spoken to one retailer who had sales increases in December year on year (average I heard was 20% down), or one wholesaler/distributor who had a good December (worst I heard was 40% down!!) Everyone's still struggling even now, so could Gfk please tell us where the data comes from? I send my figures in and we didn't have a rosy December. I'm all for talking the economy up but there's a limit. Perhaps if Gfk split their figures between store and online we could see where the growth came from. Although even online wasn't great in December and I spoke with one of the big three a few days before Christmas and their sales performance was mirroring mine ("it's just stocking fillers selling"). Being a fully paid up MIA member I expect factual reporting and items like this to be checked out in the real world. Of course they will say all I have is anecdotal evidence and not their "factual" returns, but sadly my anecdotes are from every single person I have spoken to in the trade. Us retailers continue to endure self promoting articles in MI Pro from our suppliers making often laughable comments about their service ( we used to get such articles about retail, but mainly about Sound Control!) If there are retailers out there who have had all this double digit growth then please let us know, since confidence in the sector is pretty low from where I sit. By the way, I'm far from being a pessimist, my glass is usually half full, so cheer me up someone and tell me you believe these numbers.