Abt Electronics Sees Flat Panel TV Sales Soar 50%, Predicts Holiday Shortages

GLENVIEW, IL (December 1, 2005) - Abt Electronics, the largest single-store appliance and consumer electronics dealer in the U.S., has seen sales of plasma and LCD TVs jump nearly 50% over the past year, partly because of dramatic price drops that have made the popular flat panel products more affordable. Company executives predict the growing demand will lead to shortages during the 2005 holiday season. "Flat panel TVs are getting cheaper and better, and that's encouraging consumers to retire their conventional cathode-ray sets and move on to the newer technology," said Jon Abt, President of Abt Electronics. "Demand has grown to the point where we are already receiving back-order notices on certain models, and we expect that supplies will tighten as we get closer to the peak holiday shopping period."

Starting prices for 20" LCD TVs have dropped from $1,200 to $600 over the past year, according to Abt. Similarly, entry-level prices for 42" plasma TVs have fallen from $3,500 to $1,999 over the same period, while 50" plasma TVs have declined in price from $5,999 to $3,999. At the same time, he said, the newest generation of panels offers higher brightness, better picture quality and longer life.

Abt Electronics sells flat panel TVs in its retail store as well as online at www.abt.com, with free nationwide shipping and a 30-day moneyback guarantee.

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