Denon who is this month celebrating their 100th anniversary, is set to boost their online relationships according to senior executives of the Japanese Hi Fi Company who will shortly launch a new range of receivers, Blu ray players and headphones in Australia.
According to Ken Dwyer, the Managing Director of Audio Products Australia the distributor of Denon products in Australia, he will not bring onboard any new online resellers instead he is set to push his existing channel which includes retailers like Harvey Norman and the specialist channel to sell more of the Denon range online.
“We believe that support and service is critical in any online operation. Our existing network of dealers has the capability to support our products and we will support them as they expand online” said Dwyer who will shortly launch several new Denon products in Australia.
Globally Denon intends to use online as a platform to expand its share of the $1,000+ A/V receiver (AVR) and premium-headphone markets. They say that they will promote a bolstered entry-level AVR line-up, drive step-up Blu-ray player sales and boost support for authorized online retailers.
Last week several shareholders at Harvey Norman voiced their support for an expanded online operation. A major Denon dealer, Harvey Norman is currently investing millions into a new backend distribution and online transaction engine that will support an expansion online say executives at the mass retailer.
Last night Phil Cohn, senior sales and marketing VP at Denon, said that the Japanese Hi Fi Company will revamp its authorised online dealer policies to “partner with the right people” whose Web sites meet content “benchmark,” he said.
Dwyer said “There are already several of our dealers who have an online presence in Australia and I am keen to work with them”.
ChannelNews has been told that one major Sydney based CEDIA member is currently looking to close down his NSW based retail operation with a view to moving his Hi Fi and Home entertainment product business online. The dealer who does not want to be named at this stage said.
“Our retail store business is shocking. We believe that we can make more money selling online. We are currently exploring the concept as we already have in place a web site. We are also a known and trusted brand and I believe this will work for us with an online operation”. the dealer principle said.
In celebrating 100 years of operation Denon said that they were the first professional disc recorder maker in 1939, they also sold the first stereo records and stereo systems in Japan in 1951, and they invented the first PCM recorder in 1970.
They also developed the first consumer CD player in 1982, and the first audio component with Dolby Digital/THX 5.1 decoding.
For other product information go to the following.
