Research and Markets: A China Sourcing Report on iPod Accessories - Anticipated Growth in Export Sales Will See Suppliers Expanding Production Capacity in the Coming Months

Business Wire, Oct 3, 2008

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/7be14f/china_sourcing_rep) has announced the addition of the "China Sourcing Report: iPod Accessories" report to their offering.

Based on in-factory tours

China's iPod accessory makers are poised to continue ramping up production to meet the skyrocketing demand of this $1.8 billion market.

Riding on Apple's market-dominating portable digital player, makers quick to catch the new iPhone trend are in for a larger market opportunity. In the pipeline are compact, slim and stylish designs as well as accessories offering wireless connectivity and in-vehicle applications.

Secure your supply of iPod accessories from quality suppliers throughout China. Your very own copy of this Global Sources report will help you:

- Determine which makers are improving product performance of electronic accessories by using quality components such as inner magnets, speaker membranes and main controller IC chipsets

- Find out which vendors of non-electronic accessories are focused on developing stylish and intricate designs, and using scratch- and water-resistant materials

- Discover which suppliers serve the world's leading brands such as Carrefour, Wal-Mart and Best Buy

With profiles of 37 suppliers, 132 products and a comprehensive overview of China's iPod accessories market, this report will answer all these questions...and MORE.

What you'll get:

- In-depth profile tables for 37 leading China-based manufacturers -- detailing their background, manufacturing and export strengths, R&D plans and more. Based on factory visits and personal interviews with senior managers, this information is not available anywhere else

- A gallery of the 132 most popular export models complete with full-color photographs and top-line specifications

- The results of Global Sources' latest supplier survey, forecasting production, export and R&D trends for the next 12 months

- Lists of the top 10 exporters for each type of product covered in this report: FM transmitters & adapters, cables & chargers, docking stations & speakers, and non-electronic iPod accessories

- A price guide that lists specific features and functions buyers can expect per price range

- An easy-to-use table of verified contact details -- including contact person, phone numbers, email addresses and website URLs -- to help you reach the makers featured in this report

Executive Summary:

With at least $1 spent on an accessory for every $3 spent on an iPod, it is not surprising that the iPod accessory industry has experienced dramatic growth since the launch of Apple's market-dominating portable digital player. Based on industry estimates, the iPod accessory market is worth $1.8 billion per year.

However, severe competition (particularly in the non-electronic product segment) has weeded out many small-scale makers in the past year, reducing the number of suppliers in China to just more than 250. Some makers have also shifted production to other consumer electronics with better profit margins.

Furthermore, global shipments of iPods are expected to reach a saturation point in 2008, after crossing the 100 million mark in 2007. The slowdown in iPod sales will have a negative impact on the demand for related accessories. China suppliers also face challenging external factors such as the strengthening yuan, labor cost increases and rising cost of raw materials and electronic components.

Of greater concern to suppliers is the prediction that sales of Apple's new iPhone will cannibalize iPod sales. However, since iPhone uses the same 30-pin dock connector as iPod, a wide range of iPod accessories is also compatible with iPhone. This presents a larger market opportunity for many iPod accessory makers.

Due to the fragmented nature of product lines covered by the industry, no official export data is available from China. On the whole, export sales will continue to grow in 2008, driven by an increase in the demand for iPod accessories worldwide.

The following are some of the key trends that we see in China's iPod accessory industry:

- Following price reductions in the past two years, export quotes are likely to go up in the coming months mainly due to increased manufacturing costs

- In anticipation of export sales growth, many surveyed suppliers will expand production capacity in the coming months, with the majority planning expansion of 20 to 50 percent

- New products will have compact, slim and stylish designs. More models with wireless connectivity and in-vehicle applications are also in the pipeline

- The US remains the largest export market. However, the economic slowdown in the US is increasingly driving suppliers to focus on other markets in the EU and Asia

Key Topics Covered:

- Industry Overview 7

- Products & Prices

- Supplier Survey

- Supplier Profiles

- Product Gallery

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/7be14f/china_sourcing_rep

Source: Global Sources