Congratulations to the Winners of the 2025 TWICE Picks Awards at CES!
Innovate. Nominate. Celebrate. TWICE, Residential Systems, and TechRadar Pro are proud to celebrate the best products and solutions at CES with the renowned CES Picks Awards for 2025. Our judges have spoken and the winners were announced at CES 2025 during the show in Las Vegas. You can visit TWICE.com today to see who took home the glory! Thank you to all who nominated their products and congratulations once again!
Winners Of The TWICE 2024 CEDIA Best Of Show Award Announced!
CEDIA 2024 has come and gone, and we’re excited to announce the winners of our CEDIA Best of Show awards. Visit TWICE.com for the full list of this year’s winners. The Best of Show award, presented by TWICE, Residential Systems, and What Hi-Fi? This prestigious awards program gives the opportunity to stand apart amongst other residential technology brands, at one of the largest shows in the industry. Congratulations to all our winners!
UPCOMING EVENTS
All events are subject to change. Please visit the hosting company’s website for up-to-date information.
E4 Experience - Santa Clara
September 2, 2025 Santa Clara, CA
CEDIA Expo
September 3-6, 2025 Denver, CO
E4 ExperienceChicago
October 7, 2025 Oakbrook Terrace, IL
CES 2026
January 6-9, 2026 Las Vegas, NV
KBIS
February 17-19, 2026 Orlando, FL
Grant Morgan, Senior Editor grant.morgan@futurenet.com @GrantMorgan77
Resilience In Retail
Uncertainty has become the new baseline for consumer electronics retailers. From global supply disruptions to fluctuating demand and emerging tech trends, the rules of the game seem to change by the week. While innovation remains a core driver in this space, stability has become just as critical—and elusive.
Retailers are grappling with more than just economic instability. The pace of technological advancement has shortened product life cycles, making inventory management a delicate balancing act. At the same time, evolving consumer expectations— fueled by instant gratification and hyper-personalization—mean that staying static isn’t an option. The challenge is not just selling the latest gadgets, but doing so in a way that meets consumers where they are, financially and emotionally.
“Bad companies are destroyed by crisis. Good companies survive them. Great companies are improved by them,” said Andy Grove, former CEO of Intel. His words ring particularly true now, as retailers are pushed to reassess not just their product strategies, but their core values and long-term vision.
For many, this means returning to fundamentals. Service, transparency, and reliability—qualities that don’t go out of style—are becoming differentiators again. Small, independent retailers are finding success by leaning into community engagement and hands-on support, while larger players are investing in data-driven forecasting and tighter
supply chain integration.
Even so, there’s no silver bullet. The key lies in building operational agility without losing sight of purpose. That might mean trimming excess SKUs, renegotiating vendor contracts, or rethinking the in-store experience to align more with education and service than pure sales.
It also means taking care of the people behind the counters and call centers. Retail teams, often on the front lines of economic stress and shifting consumer behavior, need leadership that prioritizes clarity, empathy, and adaptability.
This is not a call to pivot endlessly, chasing every trend or buzzword. Rather, it’s a reminder that resilience comes from focus. The retailers who know their audience, understand their value, and are willing to evolve— without losing their identity—will find stability even in volatility.
The path ahead won’t be easy or predictable. But it is navigable for those willing to shift their perspective from quarterly gains to long-term health. Strength, in this era, is about more than balance sheets. It’s about resilience: the quiet kind that shows up in consistency, care, and the courage to change when needed.
This month is our annual Top 50 Consumer Electronics Retailers report, with June’s issue bringing you the Top 50 Major Appliance Retailers Report. I’m always excited to share our results with you, and we’re grateful to partner with Senex once again to bring the TWICE Top Reports to you this year.
Executive Insight: Retail Revolution Or Transformation?
By Jeannine Ghaleb
Editor’s Note: This article originally ran on Independent Thinking, Nationwide Marketing Group’s official blog, and is republished with permission.
Adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an essential priority for Independent retailers this year as they work to meet consumer expectations for personalized shopping experiences across both physical and digital channels. However, AI’s impact goes beyond personalization – it’s also transforming the retail industry by optimizing and automating operations, driving efficiency, growth, and profitability. A recent U.S. study found that retailers who adopted AI solutions saw a 2.3x increase in sales and a 2.5x boost in profits compared to nonadopters.
AI and machine learning are revolutionizing nearly every industry, with IDC reporting that these technologies are particularly prevalent in retail. Over the past four years, online searches for “AI in retail” have jumped nearly 600 percent, highlighting how curious and invested retailers are becoming in AI-driven solutions.
Some call it a revolution, others a transformation. However, whatever you call it, AI is reshaping how retailers operate and engage with customers.
While adopting AI in your business may seem a daunting proposition, if you want to streamline your business operations, enhance decision-making, and elevate your customers’ experience, here is how AI can help:
PERSONALIZE YOUR PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
AI-driven algorithms can analyze customer data to provide personalized product recommendations that go beyond simple convenience. This tailored approach not only improves the shopping experience but also plays a key role in building customer loyalty and driving sales. In fact, 65 percent of consumers are likelier to remain loyal to retailers offering personalized experiences, while 33 percent express frustration with irrelevant product suggestions.
Streamline Your Inventory Management
AI-powered solutions can help predict demand, optimize inventory levels, and prevent stock shortages and overstocks. This ensures you’re always stocked with the right
products at the right time, reducing costs and improving efficiency throughout your operations.
ENHANCE YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH CHATBOTS AND VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS
AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants enable you to offer 24/7 customer support. These tools can efficiently handle inquiries, process orders, and provide personalized shopping assistance, creating a seamless experience and enhancing customer convenience.
OPTIMIZE YOUR PRICING
AI can analyze market trends, competitor pricing, and customer behavior to recommend dynamic pricing strategies. This helps you set competitive prices while maximizing revenue and profitability. Detect Fraud and Enhance Security
AI technologies can identify fraudulent transactions and detect patterns in realtime. This strengthens your security, reduces financial losses, and helps build trust with your customers.
OPTIMIZE YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN
AI enhances supply chain management by forecasting demand, streamlining logistics, and shortening lead times — leading to more efficient operations and improved on-time delivery.
ENHANCE YOUR CUSTOMERS’ EXPERIENCE
AI-driven technologies like facial recognition, personalized marketing, and virtual reality are elevating customer experiences. By adopting these tools, you can offer immersive, personalized experiences that keep customers engaged and encourage return visits.
Integrating AI into your business operations can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be. Cantrex is here to support you. With our expertise in retail operations, we can help you navigate the opportunities AI offers, whether you are just starting or looking to expand its use. Together, we can identify strategies to boost your business performance and maintain a competitive edge in today’s dynamic retail environment.
CEDIA: 3 Key Actions To Stay Ahead Of The Game
Industry leaders outline ways smart home professionals can navigate emerging challenges
B y TWICE Staff
There’s no denying that U.S. tariffs will affect the importation of various goods crucial to the smart home technology sector. Tariff decisions have the potential to strain smart home professionals who specialize in custom installations and integrations of advanced technologies, such as home automation systems, audiovisual equipment, security features, and energy management solutions. Additionally, professionals could face significant operational challenges as they attempt to absorb increased material costs or pass these expenses on to consumers.
Fortunately, CEDIA remains committed to equipping its members with the resources, advocacy, and education necessary to thrive in these challenging times. CEDIA’s CEO, Daryl Friedman, recently conversed with professionals in the field, Rob Mangas and Laura Siegel Rabinowitz, who identified the three key actions smart home professionals can take in order to stay ahead of the challenges tariffs will present.
1. Analyze your supply chain to identify any products or components that may be
impacted by new tariffs
“Supply and demand govern you,” says Rob Mangas, Government and policy lawyer.
“It's reasonable to expect some kind of price increase, but we definitely can expect demand to go up significantly, and therefore, U.S. production should go up significantly. Hopefully, the capacity is there in a manner that doesn't really result in significant price increases, but it's something everyone's going to be closely monitoring,”
2. Review existing purchase agreements and production contracts to understand how tariff costs will be allocated.
“You need to know where your products are coming from, that you have purchase agreements for what country they're coming from, and potentially the source of the components of those finished products. It's important to do a risk analysis,” advises Laura Siegel Rabinowitz, an International trade lawyer.
3. Consider adding language to new agreements to protect against tariff-
related price changes.
“This is the time to revisit agreements that may have been signed before the new presidency started,” says Mangas. “Check if there are actually provisions that cover who bears the tariff responsibility and what happens if it changes after the production date, and then, certainly for new agreements, it's important to add language to protect you know, whoever you are in the supply chain.”
“If you are a purchaser from the importer, you want to protect yourself, knowing that the price that was calculated when the production agreement is negotiated may not be the actual price of the product at the date of entry, because duties are due and tariffs are determined at the date of entry, so it's not a date of production agreement. So that's why you have to really look at your production agreements carefully and edit them, if you can, to protect yourself for a date of entry,” concluded Mangas.
For more information about CEDIA and how the recent tariffs may impact the smart home technology sector, please visit www. cedia.org
The Consumer Electronics Comeback
How 2024 set the stage for a transformative 2025
By Grant Morgan
After a few unpredictable years defined by pandemic aftershocks, supply chain chaos, and economic jitteriness, the consumer electronics industry is finally finding its rhythm again. From evolving shopping habits to surging smart device adoption and tariff tremors on the horizon, 2024 and the beginning of 2025 have been anything but quiet. But beneath the noise, the industry is realigning fast with a clear focus on reinvention, resilience, and relevance.
STEADY CLIMB IN A SHIFTING LANDSCAPE
Let’s start with the big picture: The global consumer electronics market reached a valuation of $815.16 billion in 2024, and forecasts from Fortune Business Insights expect that number to climb to $864.73 billion by 2025, eventually hitting $1.47 trillion by 2032. That reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.85%, a solid pace for an industry that spent the last two years regaining its footing.
The Asia-Pacific region continues to
dominate, commanding 38.08% of the global market in 2024. But the U.S. still holds its own, with $152 billion in projected revenue in 2025. The telephony segment leads the way stateside, pulling in an estimated $62.6 billion, according to Statista.
What’s particularly telling is the continued shift to digital: Online sales are expected to account for 40.6% of total U.S. revenue next year, up significantly from just a few years ago. Globally, 36% of tech and durables sales took place online during the first half of 2024 (GfK), reinforcing the omnichannel imperative.
GREEN TECH, SMARTER HOMES, AND THE SUBSCRIPTION SURGE
Consumers aren’t just buying more tech, they’re buying smarter and greener. Sustainability is more than a buzzword now; it’s shaping purchasing decisions. Still, it’s not without caveats. A Publicis Sapient survey found that while a growing number of shoppers say they prefer sustainable products, only about a third will continue making eco-friendly choices if prices go up.
That’s putting pressure on brands to find a sweet spot: delivering greener devices
without pricing out their audience. Companies like Apple and Samsung are already pushing toward carbon-neutral production goals, while others are experimenting with modular designs and easier repairability.
Smart home adoption also surged in 2024. According to GlobeNewswire, 65% of U.S. households now own at least one smart device, up from 51% in 2023. And the momentum isn’t slowing; 37% of consumers plan to add more smart home tech in the coming year. Thanks to better 5G coverage and expanded IoT infrastructure, everything from thermostats to doorbells is becoming part of a connected ecosystem.
Then there’s the services pivot. Hardware is no longer the whole story , subscription models are now driving more than 30% of industry revenues, according to the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). Think cloud storage, remote device management, and monitoring subscriptions, all adding value post-purchase while deepening brand loyalty.
CHALLENGES STILL ON THE TABLE
Of course, 2024 wasn’t without its headaches, and the industry remains under pressure from tariff uncertainties, supply chain vulnerabilities, and market saturation.
With new tariffs on Chinese imports in play, many manufacturers scrambled to frontload shipments in Q1 2025. The result? A surprising 9.4% increase in personal computer shipments, per Canalys. But the long-term impact could hit margins hard, especially for chipmakers like TSMC and Samsung, who Reuters reports are already bracing for increased costs due to their reliance on China for advanced manufacturing.
On the supply chain front, the worst of the
pandemic bottlenecks may be behind us, but inventory management remains a challenge. Several retailers entered 2025 overstocked, the result of both improved production flow and cautious demand forecasting. Expect deep discounts and aggressive promotional strategies to continue, especially for mid-cycle tech like TVs, wearables, and older-generation smartphones.
And while markets in Asia and Latin America continue to expand, North America and Western Europe are nearing saturation. As consumers hold onto devices longer, OEMs are being pushed to innovate more meaningfully, not just on specs but on design, interoperability, and ecosystem value.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR 2025?
With economic pressures and regulatory hurdles in play, what’s ahead for the industry?
1. Eco-Innovation Goes Mainstream
Sustainability won’t just be a premium feature anymore, it’ll be expected. Brands that make real strides in recyclable packaging, energy efficiency, and carbon offsetting will stand out. Watch for the rightto-repair movement to gain more traction, too, especially in the EU and the U.S.
2. AI Gets Personal
Artificial intelligence is already driving smarter cameras and better battery life. But 2025 is when we’ll see generative AI land in consumers' hands, with smart assistants that learn your daily habits, personalized health insights from wearables, and realtime language translation in smart glasses. Expect AI to become a key selling point across product categories.
3. Smart Ecosystems Take Center Stage
As more devices enter the home, the demand for interoperability will grow. Consumers don’t just want more devices, they want devices that talk to each other. Matter, the new smart home standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, and others, will continue to
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS RETAILERS REPORT
mature, making ecosystem compatibility a new battleground for brands.
4. Agility Amid Global Uncertainty
Geopolitical tensions and trade shifts aren’t going anywhere. Companies will need to build resilient supply chains and localize production where possible. Those that diversify their sourcing and manufacturing footprints will be better positioned to
weather the next wave of policy changes.
CONCLUSION
If 2023 was about recovery, 2024 was about recalibration. And 2025? It’s shaping up to be a year of calculated bets on AI, on sustainability, on services, and the connected future of tech. For companies willing to invest in relevance over routine, there’s still plenty of runway ahead.
The TWICE Top 50 CE Retailers Report ranks the leading domestic CE dealers by sales of consumer electronics.
Sales figures are based on information supplied by retailers responding to inquiries by its research partner Senex, a global industry research firm. Absent retailers’ input, estimates are developed using economic models related to household demand for consumer electronics on a local market level.
Once sales of consumer electronics by market are established, those sales are distributed to retailer stores based on a number of sources of information for retailer store presence, market share, propensity of consumers to spend and their channel purchasing patterns.
Separately, an estimate of retail sales of consumer electronics is derived at the national level from industry and government sources. This national sales figure is then compared to the aggregation of local market estimates to ensure an accurate portrayal of both national and local market sales. Further refinement comes from public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), industry analyses, government reports, retail analysts’ financial reports, published data and other external sources.
Businesses must meet the following criteria to be considered consumer electronics retailers and to qualify for inclusion in the Top 50 report:
• sells new products directly to consumers;
• has physical retail store locations or has a significant online presence;
• sells consumer electronic products as one of its principal lines of business;
• does not offer consumer electronics products primarily to sell its
• sells merchandise that is considered consumer technology as defined by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).
Sales are considered to be the revenue received for the products sold primarily to consumers, including CE hardware and accessories; personal computers, peripherals and software; home networking equipment; and video game platforms and software.
Sales of digital streaming music and video content are excluded from the report.
Retailers are instructed to exclude revenues received for installation services, repair services, rentals, extended-service contracts and vendor marketing support, as well as sales to the business, government and education channels.
Senex, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is an industry research and analysis firm providing greater clarity into markets and opportunities for entities involved in product development, mergers and acquisitions, retailing and product design. Founded in 2016, principals at Senex have been creating the TWICE retail rankings since 2006.
Based on the proprietary methodology of the TWICE Top 50 CE Retailers Report, a refined baseline was developed for this annual project effective with the 2005 rankings, covering the years 2003 to 2004. Therefore, comparisons with Top 50 reports issued prior to 2005 would be imprecise.
WHAT IS A CE PRODUCT?
Here is a breakdown of what constitutes a
consumer electronics product and what was included in the Top 50 sales totals:
Accessories: batteries, cables, headphones, screen cleaners, wearables Audio products: wired and wireless speakers and soundbars, smart speakers, receivers, CD players (home and portable), home theater-in-a-box, turntables, boomboxes, digital music players, docking stations, distributed audio products, headphones, blank recordable audio media
Car electronics: Speakers, in-dash radio/ audio/video receivers, amps, satellite radios, radar detectors, alarms, GPS, mobile TVs, video monitors, backup/night vision camera kits, DVD/Blu-ray Disc players, CB radios
Video products: Blu-ray Disc and DVD players (home and portable), cameras, camcorders, imaging accessories (cases, bags, lenses, tripods), DVD recorders, hard-disk recorders, satellite TV dishes and systems, TVs and TV/ DVD/Blu-ray combos, blank recordable video media, video game consoles, video game software, streaming media devices, virtual reality systems, antennas Information technology: Desktop/ notebook/tablet PCs, e-readers, external drives, flash media, monitors, optical drives, printers, ink/toner, software, tablets, accessory hardware (cards, hard drives, keyboards, mice, memory, desktop speakers), home networking equipment Misc.: Drones, home security
NR = Not ranked last year
(1) All sales information, except for that supplied by publicly held companies that break out line-of-business sales for consumer electronics, is based on TWICE estimates.
(2) Represents only stores carrying consumer electronics.
(3) Most store type codes were developed jointly by TWICE and the Consumer Technology Association.
CA = Catalog showrooms
CD/I = Consumer direct/Internet shopping
CD/MO = Consumer direct/Mail order
CD/TV = Consumer direct/TV shopping
CS = Computer stores
D/G = Drug/Grocery stores
DS = Department stores
EA/M = Electronics/Appliance stores/One-market
EA/N = Electronics/Appliance stores/Multiregional
EA/R = Electronics/Appliance stores/Regional
EAF/N = Electronics/Appliance/Furniture stores
EO/L = Electronics-only stores
HF = Home-furnishings stores
HIC = Home-improvement centers
NR = Not ranked last year
(1) All sales information, except for that supplied by publicly held companies that break out line-of-business sales for consumer electronics, is based on TWICE estimates.
(2) Represents only stores carrying consumer electronics.
(3) Most store type codes were developed jointly by TWICE and the Consumer Technology Association.
CA = Catalog showrooms
CD/I = Consumer direct/Internet shopping
CD/MO = Consumer direct/Mail order
CD/TV = Consumer direct/TV shopping
CS = Computer stores
D/G = Drug/Grocery stores
DS = Department stores
EA/M = Electronics/Appliance stores/One-market
EA/N = Electronics/Appliance stores/Multiregional
EA/R = Electronics/Appliance stores/Regional
EAF/N = Electronics/Appliance/Furniture stores
EO/L = Electronics-only stores
= Home-furnishings stores
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NR = Not ranked last year
(1) All sales information, except for that supplied by publicly held companies that break out line-of-business sales for consumer electronics, is based on TWICE estimates.
(2) Represents only stores carrying consumer electronics.
(3) Most store type codes were developed jointly by TWICE and the Consumer Technology Association.
(1) All sales information, except for that supplied by publicly held companies that break out line-of-business sales for consumer electronics, is based on TWICE estimates.
(2) Represents only stores carrying consumer electronics.
(3) Most store type codes were developed jointly by TWICE and the Consumer Technology Association.
CA = Catalog showrooms
CD/I = Consumer direct/Internet shopping
CD/MO = Consumer direct/Mail order
CD/TV = Consumer direct/TV shopping
CS = Computer stores
D/G = Drug/Grocery stores
DS = Department stores
EA/M = Electronics/Appliance stores/One-market
EA/N = Electronics/Appliance stores/Multiregional
EA/R = Electronics/Appliance stores/Regional
EAF/N = Electronics/Appliance/Furniture stores
EO/L = Electronics-only stores
= Home-furnishings stores
NR = Not ranked last year
(1) All sales information, except for that supplied by publicly held companies that break out line-of-business sales for consumer electronics, is based on TWICE estimates.
(2) Represents only stores carrying consumer electronics.
(3) Most store type codes were developed jointly by TWICE and the Consumer Technology Association.
CA = Catalog showrooms
CD/I = Consumer direct/Internet shopping
CD/MO = Consumer direct/Mail order
CD/TV = Consumer direct/TV shopping
CS = Computer stores
D/G = Drug/Grocery stores
DS = Department stores
EA/M = Electronics/Appliance stores/One-market
EA/N = Electronics/Appliance stores/Multiregional
EA/R = Electronics/Appliance stores/Regional
EAF/N = Electronics/Appliance/Furniture stores
EO/L = Electronics-only stores
stores
Top 50 CE Store Retailers by Class
Sales by Store Type
Sales by Outlet Sales by Rank
Nationwide PrimeTime Harnesses “The Power Of Connection”
Members encouraged to connect in “a pretty pivotal year”
By Grant Morgan
AVBNationwide Marketing Group’s (NMG) PrimeTime event made its San Antonio, TX, debut March 15-18, 2025, drawing over 3,000 attendees—a 20% increase from last year—and 120 exhibitors to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. TWICE was in attendance at the show, and the members’ enthusiasm mirrored PrimeTime’s theme of "Power of Connection." The event provided independent retailers with economic forecasts, digital marketing strategies, and peer-driven insights, all while fostering community engagement.
A FOCUS ON CONNECTION AND BUSINESS GROWTH
NMG CEO Tom Hickman set the tone during the opening general session, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building in the independent retail industry. “This event is all about building and making connections,” he told attendees. “We want you to have conversations with your peers, vendor partners, and us.”
Matthew Leiser of Cleveland Research Center followed Hickman with a keynote address that provided an economic overview, touching on inflation, consumer spending, and key trends shaping the retail landscape in 2025.
Given the economic uncertainty of the past few years, retailers in attendance were particularly interested in Leiser’s datadriven predictions and the implications for independent businesses.
“It's a pretty interesting environment out there. Some say tough, some say challenging,” Hickman remarked in his address. “Let's face it, the decisions we are making right now are more important than ever. The conversations and the connections
that you have here at PrimeTime will shape the choices and the strategic initiatives that you put in your business for at least the next year, and certainly in what is a pretty pivotal year.“
“We know tough, right?” Hickman continued. “Our superpower is resilience and agility, the ability to turn on a dime, the ability to do things that other people won't do for our community, for that last week, to get that customer, to build those customers for life.”
EDUCATION AND PEER INSIGHTS AT THE FOREFRONT
Education always plays a central role at PrimeTime, and Nationwide Learning Academy (NLA) offered over 30 member-led sessions during the show. In addition to vendor-led courses, this year’s program introduced real-world success stories from NMG members, offering practical, markettested strategies for navigating retail challenges.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND GIVING BACK
Beyond business discussions, NMG PrimeTime emphasized corporate social responsibility through its newly formalized initiative, NMG Gives.
Expanding on its previous work with No Child Hungry (NCH), NMG Gives now includes two additional charitable organizations: Smile Together and Destination Hope.
Attendees were encouraged to participate in on-site volunteer opportunities, contributing to the assembly of over 32,000 relief kits for victims of the California wildfires. This hands-on involvement reinforced the event’s broader theme of connection, not just among retailers, but within communities in need. It was uplifting to see attendees, including families with children, helping pack kits during the expo. Nationwide PrimeTime will return to Nashville’s Music City Center from August 17-20, 2025.
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AVB Summit 2025: Strategic Focus, Fresh Tools Take Center Stage
Members urged to cut through the noise and execute
By Grant Morgan
AVB’s Summit 2025 was full of new member tools, plenty of networking opportunities, and, true to the show’s theme, “Focus”. TWICE had front row seats as Jim Ristow, AVB CEO, opened the show with a clear directive for members: tune out the noise and get serious about execution.
“Stop chasing squirrels,” advised Ristow, as he related the similarities he sees in how his chihuahua mix, Luna, loves to chase after anything, to “shiny objects” which are everywhere and distracting for dealers. Ristow encouraged members to focus on a three-step framework: define a clear oneyear vision, identify the three most important actions to get there, and then implement relentlessly. “Focus on implementing it,” he said, “and don’t let the squirrels get in the way. Don’t get caught up in the noise. Stay focused on what you can control.”
Throughout the day, AVB’s leadership continued to help members “Focus” by unveiling new tools designed to help members do exactly that.
Probably the most exciting announcement may have been ARC, AVB’s new cloud-based POS system. Designed specifically for AVB members and built by the group, ARC syncs with the group’s ecosystem, including websites, LINQ, and HUB, and updates product data daily and streamlines sales, service, and inventory operations. “ARC is the most integrated POS in our space,” said Chief Marketing Officer John White.
On the operations side, COO Dave Meekings rolled out a suite of programs aimed at optimizing both showroom and back-end processes. These included AVBexclusive digital price tags managed through LINQ, a traffic-tracking radar
system, and a second consumer finance option through Synchrony. “Flexibility is key in today’s financial landscape,” Meekings said.
FTS Direct also expanded, with new vendor partnerships bringing high-margin categories like gun safes and private-label furniture to the table. “We’re giving members the buying power they need, without the volume requirements,” said Meekings. The service side wasn’t left out with AVB’s ServiceSource program now offering three tiered levels of support, from free core tools to premium training and coaching packages.
Following Ristow’s opening speech, members were further inspired by a keynote from motivational speaker and author of “The Hero Effect” and “Unleashing Your Hero,” Kevin Brown. Brown shared the four characteristics of what makes a true hero, and the experience of how one caring Disney employee, Aunt Bea, changed their lives - and thousands of others in the years
to come - all from the simple act of her being a hero to Brown's autistic son by going beyond what was expected to cook his favorite breakfast: apple pancakes. Brown encouraged Summit attendees to be true heroes, embrace excellence, and share their gifts to make life better for themselves and those they influence back home.
Executive VP of Merchandising Chad Evans rounded out the day with market insights, reporting that despite a tough 2024, BrandSource dealers outperformed broader industry trends in both appliances and furniture. Still, Evans cautioned against complacency, pointing to tariffs and inflation as ongoing headwinds. And while he acknowledged that market conditions remain volatile, Evans’ message to Summit attendees was clear: AVB members who engage with these platforms are outperforming the market — and their peers. “The tools are there,” he said. “The difference is who uses them.”
AVB returns to Las Vegas August 3-6, 2025.
JVC Launches Industry’s Smallest Native 4K Projectors Good things come in small packages
By TWICE Staff
JVC Projectors, Home Theater, a division of JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation, has launched the industry’s smallest native 4K projectors, the DLA-NZ500 and DLA-NZ700, offering superb 4K HDR images and JVC’s proprietary advanced technology in a new compact design and expanding options for top-tier home theater installations.
“They say good things come in small packages, and this is a perfect example”, said Jamie Pasley, General Manager of JVC Home Theater. “With a 35% reduction in size, we were able to bundle several of JVC’s most recognizable features in a much smaller footprint, allowing for easier installation in confined spaces. With an all Blu-Escent Laser Projector line-up at multiple price points, we’re extending our reach to a larger audience.”
The new DLA-NZ500 and DLA-NZ700 offer a completely redesigned optical unit, lens,
and circuit board. With JVC’s exclusive 0.69inch native 4K “D-ILA” devices, both projectors achieve higher resolution and increased brightness.
Additionally, JVC D-ILA projectors offer fully motorized lenses, pixel adjustment, masking, multiple installation styles, and adjustable aspects. With motorized horizontal/vertical lens shift and extensive zoom, JVC makes it easier to perfectly align the image to the screen regardless of where the projector is mounted. Adding to the flexibility of installation is the redesigned air intake and exhaust setup. This new layout pushes the heat source exhaust at the rear, eliminating the potential impact of the image on the projection screen.
JVCʼs proprietary “BLU-Escent” laser light source technology uses a blue laser diode as its light source, and allows you to experience full-scale high-definition images in a compact design. The DLA-NZ700 achieves a high brightness of 2,300lm, and the DLA-NZ500 at 2,000lm. Both models have a
laser life expectancy of approximately 20,000 hours, about 5 ½ times that of the average lamp.
JVC Home Theater Projectors are most recognized for excellence in contrast and deep blacks, and the latest models continue this trend. The DLA-NZ700 features 80,000:1 (with the DLA-NZ500 providing a 40,000:1 ratio) native contrast by simultaneously improving alignment control and pixel flatness, which provides even further realistic darkness with the Deep Black Tone Control feature. When paired with JVC's "Vivid" picture mode for SDR content, animation appears lifelike and details pop even more..
Although JVC D-ILA Projectors are ready to be used right out of the box, they also offer the ability to personalize them to specific viewing preferences. Using JVC’s intuitive menu options makes changes and installations easier, and settings can be stored and recalled for future viewing quickly and easily.
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•“Start at 375 degrees for 10 minutes” – Control your cooking preferences easily.
Voice-Controlled Smart Plugs
Upgrade any standard outlet with Emerson Smart’s voice-controlled smart plugs, perfect for powering lamps, coffee makers, and other small appliances. Walk into any room and Say “Turn on the living room lamp”, no need for an app or remote.
•Set on / off timer with your voice
•Dim the lights with your voice
•12 different SmartVoice Commands
Smart Voice Fans and Heaters
Emerson Smart Voice-Controlled Fans and Heaters. With just a command, you can:
•Adjust temperature – Say, “Set heater to 72 degrees.”
•Control oscillation – “Swivel fan left.”
•Turn devices on or off – “Turn off heater in 30 minutes.”
Audio For Life
Erin Phillips, VP for Pro Audio Technology and Theory Audio Design, discusses her new executive role
in the companies and offers a preview of what’s to come
By Anthony Savona - Residential Systems
Itry not to get personal when I write these kinds of stories, but I am going to make an exception in this case, as Erin Phillips was one of my earliest and most consistent contacts when I first entered this industry full-time. Not only was she instrumental in my CI education, but she also always came through no matter how ridiculous my request or how tight the deadline was. And if she wanted to kill me for it, she hid it amazingly well!
Here Erin reveals her whole-life association with audio, discusses her new executive role in the companies, and offers a peek into Theory’s and PRO’s plans for 2025.
GROWING UP AUDIO
Erin’s involvement in audio was seemingly fated from birth, with a father who was mechanically inclined and a musical mother who were close friends with Scott Bagby, the co-founder of Paradigm Electronics. “A lot of the original Paradigm products were built out of garages and in my parents’ unfinished basement in the early days,” she says. “I grew up in a house filled with music and surrounded by audio-centric people.
“Any time there was an odd job to be done, my brother and I were asked to help in exchange for a few extra bucks. Outside of school, music, and dance classes, I spent much of my time at Paradigm. Even a few of my babysitters were employed there and would keep me entertained building tweeters or circuit boards while they were fixing a robot or doing whatever else they needed to do.”
Erin got her Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in marketing management and worked in that role as well as in product development for Paradigm for nearly a
decade after college. In those early days, PR for Paradigm, Anthem, and MartinLogan was handled by Caster Communications, and firm owner Kim Lancaster — who has a ridiculously keen eye for talent — brought Erin on as her company’s first remote employee.
However, public relations can be a stressful career choice, and, in late 2020, Erin decided to take a breather from Caster and the industry as a whole to begin a family, which she did with the birth of her son. The break did not last long, as Caster was parting ways with Theory and PRO, and Lancaster knew who the right person would be to take over the account.
Paul assigned a title that better matched and gave credit to my responsibilities — VP for the companies.”
So, her being named VP didn’t mean an increase in responsibilities, it more matched all the roles she had taken on over time at PRO and Theory, including co-hosting popular and very memorable demos with Hales at CEDIA Expo.
COMING SOON
“Working with PRO and Theory has always come so naturally to me — I just believe in it. The proof is in the pudding. There is no higher-performing audio brand out there,” says Erin. “Plus, I clicked with Paul [Hales, owner of PRO and Theory] and bought into his philosophy and work ethic. Paul’s brain is very similar to mine and my dad’s — logical and practical, with a relentless passion and need for continuous improvement. Combine that with our shared appreciation for detail, and we’re an unstoppable pair supported by a very talented team.”
THE ROAD TO VP
Unsurprisingly, once she started at PRO and Theory, it did not take long for her role to increase. “If you know Paul, you know he doesn’t do anything half-ass,” she says. “Before I knew it, I was full-time. At that point my title no longer fit the role — and to be honest, it was confusing our partners. So,
So, what’s next for PRO, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary, and Theory? “On the product development side, we have a lot in the pipeline,” says Erin. “The announced ic6 and iws12 bollard landscape speakers will start shipping mid-year, as will the sb210aw — big brother to the popular sb25aw all-weather surface mount speaker. We also have a 5-inch ic5 in-ceiling speaker coming from Theory that we’ve been talking about for a while, but in keeping with our brand promise to only bring products to market that are the bestperforming in their given product category, it’s taken some time to perfect. Due to popular demand, we are also developing an infrasonic subwoofer and entering the sound reinforcement segment of the market. We have quite a lot of exciting innovations planned for 2025 and beyond, but I can’t give it all away this soon. You’ll have to stay tuned for more details. Most importantly, I invite you to book a demo at our Southern California Experience Center or attend an InfoComm or CEDIA Expo 2025 demo to get the full PRO and Theory experience. I promise what you hear will absolutely thrill you, and I bet you’ll have a good chuckle, too.”
For all the ways you listen.
At Kanto, we believe great sound should complement your space and your story. Whether you're spinning vinyl, immersed in a film, gaming with friends, or letting your creativity flow, our goal is to make hi-fi listening effortless. From award-winning speakers to precision-engineered accessories, we blend elevated design with best-in-class performance—bringing you the perfect balance of form and function.
NATM Partners With Synchrony To Enhance Retailer Success In 2025
Promises
to offer the customized solutions necessary to thrive in 2025 and beyond
By Tony Monteleone
In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences, retailers are increasingly looking for innovative ways to meet evolving demands and stay ahead of the competition. For NATM Buying Corporation’s members, a new strategic partnership with Synchrony, a leading provider of consumer financial services, promises to offer the customized solutions necessary to thrive in 2025 and beyond.
barriers to purchase. In turn, these financing options help build stronger, more loyal customer relationships while allowing retailers to capture greater value from each transaction.
partnership is the opportunity for collaboration between Synchrony and NATM’s four Product Committees—Major Appliances, Luxury Appliances, Consumer Electronics, and Mattress/Bedding. These committees will work directly with Synchrony to develop customized financing programs, including discounted rate initiatives that help members further differentiate themselves in the marketplace.
In addition, Synchrony will provide comprehensive analytics to measure the success of the program and its impact on members’ businesses. These insights will be invaluable in helping retailers refine their financing strategies and ensure they are meeting the needs of their customers while driving growth.
This new collaboration, announced on February 24, 2025, provides NATM members with exclusive access to tailored financing options, digital payment features, and a suite of value-added resources designed to drive sales and build long-term customer loyalty. According to John Riddle, Head of NATM, the partnership highlights NATM’s ongoing commitment to providing its members with cutting-edge tools and resources to ensure continued success in the ever-changing retail landscape.
“We are excited to partner with Synchrony to bring innovative financial solutions to our members, enabling them to better serve their customers and grow their businesses,” Riddle said. “This collaboration underscores our dedication to delivering value-driven resources and strategic tools that empower our members to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.”
For retailers in the Consumer Electronics, Major Appliance, and Mattress/Bedding sectors, offering financing has become a critical strategy. With rising average ticket prices, driven by the proliferation of connected, energy-efficient, and high-tech products, flexible financing solutions have proven to be a powerful tool for reducing
Curtis Howse, EVP and CEO of Synchrony’s Home and Auto platform echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the value of smart financing solutions in today’s retail environment. “Smart financing solutions not only drive sales, they build customer loyalty and open doors for retailers to thrive,” Howse explained. “Synchrony’s industry-leading financial solutions perfectly align with NATM’s mission to empower its members with the tools and resources to succeed. We look forward to working closely with NATM members to drive growth and innovation in the retail space.”
The timing of this partnership couldn’t be more ideal, as consumer spending continues to shift toward more premium, connected, and energy-efficient products. As these technologies grow in popularity, financing options allow customers to reduce the upfront costs associated with their purchases, making it easier to invest in multi-product bundles such as home entertainment systems or kitchen appliance packages. For retailers, this means the potential for increased revenue through bundled sales.
Through this partnership, NATM members will gain access to tailored financing solutions that offer competitive rates and flexible terms. Synchrony’s financial products are designed to cater specifically to the needs of NATM members, who represent some of the leading independent retailers in the country.
One of the most exciting aspects of the
The importance of offering financing in today’s retail environment cannot be overstated. As consumers become more discerning and look for value in their purchases, financing options provide a powerful way for retailers to build loyalty. Offering attractive and flexible terms not only helps retailers capture immediate sales but also cultivates long-term relationships by making products more affordable and accessible to a wider range of customers.
In a market where competition is fierce, the ability to offer tailored financing solutions is a key differentiator. Retailers who can provide financing programs that align with consumer needs—whether it’s for high-tech appliances, energy-efficient products, or premium home entertainment systems—will be well-positioned to stand out in an increasingly crowded market.
As the partnership between NATM and Synchrony unfolds in 2025, members can expect a wide range of resources designed to enhance their competitive edge. With financing solutions that cater to the specific needs of each product category, members will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern retail landscape..
NATM’s 2025 Vendor Conference, taking place in Frisco, Texas, from July 21-24, will provide an excellent opportunity for members to meet with key vendors and learn more about the latest developments.
For more information on the partnership and upcoming events, visit www.natmcorp.com.
John Riddle
CES 2025 By The Numbers
Independent audit reveals growing attendance from executives, Investors, and media
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) announced the results of its independently audited data for CES 2025, revealing a total of 142,465 participants from across the globe, with a particular increase in attendance from senior-level executives, investors, and media.
"CES is where the global tech community meets to set the agenda for the year ahead," said Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair, CTA in a statement. "The exhibits, speakers, meetings, and moments of serendipity on the show floor and in conference halls move innovation forward and catalyze solutions, making the world better."
CES is the global convener of the tech ecosystem, bringing together the right communities to drive the industry forward, and attendees converged in Las Vegas to forge deals, create jobs, and drive global growth.
Additional attendance numbers include:
• 57,401 (40%) international attendees, demonstrating CES's continued global influence
• 4500+ registered exhibitors, including a buzzing startup community of 1400 exhibitors at Eureka Park
• 6582 members of the media
• 305 of the Fortune Global 500 companies represented
• 300+ conference sessions with 1200+ speakers
"CES is once again the largest audited annual business event," said Kinsey Fabrizio, President, CTA in a statement. "We know that exhibitors, media, and attendees spend time, resources, and effort to come to CES, and we're proud to share trustworthy, verified data to justify their investments."
The CES 2025 audit also confirmed that CES is a gathering place for leaders across important verticals in tech like AI, robotics, health, and entertainment and advertising.
• AI continued to be the top interest area for attendees, with growing interest in robotics.
• Digital health industry attendance increased by 13% from CES 2024.
• Entertainment and advertising community attendance grew by 11% from CES 2024.
• International diplomats and policy leaders also get together to explore the opportunities and challenges of scaling innovation globally. At CES 2025, 158 government guests from across the globe participated in CTA's Leaders in Technology program during the transition to a new U.S. administration.
CES attendance numbers are independently audited, exceeding the auditing standards of UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. Independent audits with a third party are crucial to maintaining trust, ensuring accurate data, and fostering transparency for all stakeholders. CTA advocates that exhibitors request third-party audits for the events in which they participate.
The full CES 2025 Audit is available for download at CES.tech. CES will return to Las Vegas from January 6-9, 2026.
Coastal Source Promotes Four New Vice Presidents Recognizes
the long-time contributions of its four most senior and tenured leadership team members
By TWICE Staff
Coastal Source has recognized the long-time contributions of its four most senior and tenured leadership team members by announcing the promotions of Jon Bowman, Jason Sanders, Pete Sepesi, and Sean Snowden to vice president positions.
Effective immediately, according to Coastal Source founder and CEO Franco D’Ascanio, Jon Bowman moves up from vice president of sales development to vice president of design and specification.
Jason Sanders moves from director of operations to vice president of product management, and Pete Sepesi moves from director of sales to vice president of sales, and Sean Snowden moves from director of design and engineering to vice president of design and engineering.
“Jon, Jason, Pete, and Sean have been part of the Coastal Source journey from the very beginning and they’ve witnessed a lot of change over the years,” said D’Ascanio in a statement. “They have been influential in the growth and success of our very special company and, as vice presidents, I know that each of them will continue to lead their respective business areas and teams to an even higher level of success in the future. We are also very proud of our entire growing staff, and we look forward to all the amazing opportunities ahead!”
For more information, visit www.coastalsource.com
Case Study: LG Brings Digital Sales Tools To The Retail Sales Floor
LG
and
Cogent360
collaborate to show how digital innovation can transform the retail experience
LG North America has long been at the forefront of the home appliance market innovation with its sleek, cutting-edge designs. However, being first to market with new designs and ideas comes with unique challenges.
“Our products often look like nothing else on the market,” says Peter Vossler, Senior Manager of Home Appliance Product Training for LG North America. “We needed a radically new approach to help these stakeholders experience these products during the decision-making process, understand their features, and ensure they fit perfectly into their homes.”
THE CHALLENGE
LG has differentiated itself in the appliance market as a technology innovator. One of the company’s key challenges is ensuring that high-tech features stand out even when devices aren’t connected to power.
LG also grapples with an industry-wide issue: product returns due to customers not properly measuring their spaces, resulting in improper fitting of their appliances. Selecting a major appliance is complex. Customers usually consider aesthetics, features, and dimensions, but they don’t always account for things like connections, door clearances, or whether the appliance can fit through the home’s doors and hallways.
THE SOLUTION: INTERACTIVE DIGITAL TOOLS
LG considered several traditional media approaches to product training and found them wanting. Stickers on the digital dial? Costly to produce and update, with a static appearance that detracted from the hightech, dynamic nature of the interface. Video walkthroughs? It could not hold the customer’s attention as they reviewed irrelevant features. Vossler’s background in training led him to an ah-ha moment: what
if, instead of creating something for people to watch or look at, LG gave them something to do?
“Interactivity was key,” says Vossler. “An interactive tool can be self-guided, allowing customers to explore features and answer questions that matter to them without having to sit through anything they don’t care about.”
To address these challenges, LG turned to Dave Chace, Founder and President of Cogent360, a firm specializing in interactive digital media. Vossler had previously worked with Cogent360 to produce e-learning tools and the LG Virtual Home, so he knew Cogent360 had the capability to create the interactive, simple-to-understand experiences he was seeking.
One of the early successes of this collaboration was lgdial.com, a mobileready site that allows retail sales associates to walk potential customers through the various features of LG’s laundry machines— even if the machines are not powered on. The tool can be embedded in the retail website or accessed via a QR code from the showroom floor.
The tool also includes a training mode, offering guided tours that help users understand the full functionality of the product.
“Including a tutorial really increased the value of this digital model,” says Chace. “Rather than just explaining how the Dial works with a few pictures or text, we built in an interactive simulation to walk the user step-by-step through a laundry cycle, as if they were operating the appliance themselves. This ensures that both the salespeople and customers clearly understand the operation, benefits, and simplicity of this technology, product messaging is consistent, and makes sure sales associates are always supported in highlighting the most important features of these innovative appliances.”
May 2025 • Volume 40 • Issue 5 www.twice.com
CONTENT
VP/Content Creation Anthony Savona
Senior Editor Grant Morgan, grant.morgan@futurenet.com
Group Art Director Nicole Cobban
Art Editors Matt Lochrie and Rosie Webber
Production Manager Nicole Schilling
ADVERTISING SALES
Managing Vice President of Sales, B2B Tech Adam Goldstein, adam.goldstein@futurenet.com, 212-378-0465
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