CE Accessories Grow the Industry

Computer carrying cases (including those for tablets, laptops and netbooks) are anticipated to bring in an additional $251 million in revenue, a 34 percent increase over the 2012 mark of $731 million. Both of these growth drivers are expected to remain strong through2015, where, like headphones, growth will marginalize. In addition, tablet owners report they use a wide variety of accessories and add-ons with their devices. The overall accessory market exploded as tablet sales increased in2012. More than half of tablet owners (55 percent) use headphones or earbuds, and three in ten (30 percent) report they use a stylus with their tablet. That said, about a quarter (28 percent) of tablet owners say they don’t use any tablet accessories.[2]

Carrying cases for wireless phones are estimated to represent nine percent of the total accessories revenue, accounting for 12 percent ofunit sales to dealers. Likewise, tablet, laptop, and netbook carrying cases are estimated to account for 10 percent of total accessories revenue, as well as 10 percent of unit sales to dealers. Overall, these cases are expected to make up one fifth of the accessories market by revenue in 2013.

The accessories subset of the CE market should not be underestimated. It provides an ample addition to the overall CE industry growth. Consumers love to be fashionable, and CE accessorizing has become a popular way for consumers to achieve this. Headphones, earbuds and carrying cases all complement other CE items, such as MP3 players, smartphones and tablets, yet are much more aesthetically customizable than the base device. Retailers and manufacturers should recognize opportunities in these markets, and capitalize on the hidden success that lies within accessories.