PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Carphone Warehouse has told PCR that more customers are enquiring about smartwatches and other wearable devices.
“Many mobile manufacturers have now shown their hand with at least their first foray into the wearables space, although there is a notable absence in the form of Apple which usually has the knack of really giving a product mass appeal when it steps into a market,” said a Carphone Warehouse spokesperson.
“Although these devices are still seen as futuristic by many, we are getting more customers enquiring about smart watches and similar devices which adds up to an exciting time for the expanding wearables market.
“Manufacturers are aiming to hit the sweet spot between design and function that resonates with customers enough to take these devices truly main stream.”
Design was also a factor that CCS Insight said would help push the popularity of smartwatches over the next four years.
The firm recently predicted that by 2018 135 million wearable devices will be sold, with director of forecasting, Marina Koytcheva, saying: “There are very few smart gadgets that I’d want to put on myself right now — they’re all very techie-looking — but things are changing. Now that the technology has been proven, design is catching up.”
Last week, Carphone Warehouse opened up the first seven ‘Dixons Carphone’ stores within Currys/PC World outlets following the merger of the two tech retailers.
