Consumer electronics retailers nationwide are seeing a rush in demand as the beginning of December approaches, when the government's eco-point subsidy program for purchases of eco-friendly home appliances will be nearly halved. In particular, flat-screen televisions are seeing high demand, with November seeing nearly six times the sales from a year earlier. Many models have already gone out of stock at stores, forcing some customers to wait on backorders of as much as three months.
Home electronics retailers are planning to cope with a surge in customers expected for this weekend by increasing the number of sales staff, and electronics manufacturers are stepping up their production. "If I don't act to get as many eco-points as I can (by buying before the end of the month), it will be a waste," said a 25-year-old woman who was looking for a flat-TV at the Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba shop in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Nov. 26.
The store was crowded with many customers, including company workers coming for shopping during their lunch breaks. Those who wanted the help of store assistants had to take a number and wait for their turn. A store worker said during the busiest hours of the evening this week, the number of people waiting for help reached over 70, making them wait for about an hour before being helped.
The store was crowded with many customers, including company workers coming for shopping during their lunch breaks. Those who wanted the help of store assistants had to take a number and wait for their turn. A store worker said during the busiest hours of the evening this week, the number of people waiting for help reached over 70, making them wait for about an hour before being helped.
The shop usually has around 40 sales assistants, but it has increased the number of staff by about 20 percent since mid-October. From 80 to 100 assistants are currently on hand on weekends.
Private research firm GfK Japan said overall sales of flat-screen TVs in November were five to six times higher than during November of last year. At Yodobashi Camera outlets, around 70 percent of flat-TVs are out of stock, and almost all products are on at least one to two months backorder, some on three months backorder.
Consumers are required to complete their purchase payments by the end of November to receive the full amount of eco-points. "We are experiencing a jump in sales and customers like that of the year-end shopping season," said one Bic Camera employee. (The Mainichi Daily)
Private research firm GfK Japan said overall sales of flat-screen TVs in November were five to six times higher than during November of last year. At Yodobashi Camera outlets, around 70 percent of flat-TVs are out of stock, and almost all products are on at least one to two months backorder, some on three months backorder.
Consumers are required to complete their purchase payments by the end of November to receive the full amount of eco-points. "We are experiencing a jump in sales and customers like that of the year-end shopping season," said one Bic Camera employee. (The Mainichi Daily)
