With the consumer electronics industry as a whole cutting back, this year’s annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is expected to be a subdued affair compared to previous years.

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association has predicted a sluggish start for the retail sector in 2009 but with interest rate cuts to be really felt in the economy by March and April, significant growth from July in the third quarter to September 2009.

Panasonic Australia has announced plans to raise recommended retail prices on its current range of consumer electronics products from February 1, 2009.

Harvey Norman’s pre-Christmas like for like written sales are up 8.7% for the 28 days to December 21 compared to last year, according to the company’s latest report to the Australian Securities Exchange.  

Nespresso and Myer have partnered to bring the first Nespresso boutique to the west coast of Australia. The new Boutique-in-Shop is located at Myer Perth and marks the fifth of its kind in the country.