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TOP MERCHANDISE PICKS: Redemption Guaranteed
September 22, 2009
By Vincent Alonzo
Even in a struggling economy, business is always good for somebody. Employees and channel sales partners are still earning incentive awards—and some are more popular than others. Incentive poked around in a number of award categories to find out what items were posting strong redemption numbers. Here’s what we found out.
WATCHES & CLOCKS
What the Experts Say
According to luxury goods surveyor LGI Network, the timepiece business seems poised for a turnaround. While the Randolph, NJ-based trend-tracker’s June Performance Highlights Report saw an overall decline from June 2008, it found the market was flat from the prior month, indicating that the downward momentum may be slowing.
Trend-wise, automatic watches continue to tick along, slowly regaining market share. Rose gold remains strong, and less expensive stainless steel—made more elegant in some cases with the addition of diamonds—is gaining popularity. As for size, watch cases continue to get bigger, with 48-millimeter or 49-millimeter pieces no longer uncommon, even as some say that trend has peaked.
Top Incentive Picks
A Good Corporate Citizen: Citizen Eco-Drive watches are fueled by light, so they never need a battery. Over the past decade, Citizen has kept more than 20 million batteries out of landfills. Citizen’s pioneering Eco-Drive technology was the first light-powered, maintenance-free watch. Citizen’s Eco-Drive Collection comprises 80 percent of the company’s watch sales. The Citizen Eco-Drive Perpetual Calendar (style BL5400-52A) makes a powerful statement with its 48-mm case. Features include a 1/20 second chronograph that measures up to 60 minutes, 12/24-hour time, dual time, alarm, date, rotating inner dial ring, screw-back case, and water resistance up to 100 meters. The collection is available in stainless steel with a white or black dial.
Send In the Marines: Bulova’s high-performance Marine Star Collection has contemporary “architectural” design, with its multilayered case in rose gold and black ion finish and smoothly integrated silicon strap (style 98B104). It provides precision chronograph timing and has a solid stainless steel screw-back case, luminous hands and markers, and water resistance to 100 meters.
The Caviar of Watches: Ebel’s Beluga Collection (style 1215871) from Movado features 18-karat yellow gold with diamonds. The dial is white mother of pearl with 12 diamonds for numeral markers, and its case is trimmed on both sides with sapphire crystal featuring anti-reflective treatment.
ELECTRONICS
What the Experts Say
Consumer confidence in the economy improved in August, and consumer confidence in technology and consumer electronics (CE) jumped in the same period, according to the latest figures from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and CNET. The CEA-CNET Index of Consumer Expectations (ICE) reached 172.2 in August, a jump of more than six points from July’s yearly low. The ICE, which measures consumer expectations about the broader economy, is up 6.5 points from this time last year and has climbed in three of the last four months.
“Consumers are feeling more confident of an economic recovery as the recession comes to an end,” says Shawn DuBravac, CEA’s economist and director of research. “In particular, consumers are feeling more optimistic about the broader economy, their own financial wellbeing, and, most importantly, their jobs. Improved confidence in job security should buoy purchase decisions moving forward.”
Top Incentive Picks
LCDelightful: Sony continues to push the limits of display technology with the introduction of two new Bravia flat-panel high-definition LCD televisions that appeal to the hard-core home-theater enthusiast and design-conscious incentive qualifier alike. The Bravia KDL-52XBR7 LCD TV features 240-Hz high-frame-rate technology—which Sony calls Motionflow—delivering exceptional motion detail in movies, sports, and videogames. Meanwhile, the Bravia KLV-40ZX1M LCD monitor features a revolutionary slim design, measuring just 9.9 millimeters—about the thickness of a compact disc jewel case.
In the 1080p-resolution (or “full HD”), 52-inch KDL-52XBR7, Motionflow technology results in an exceptionally crisp and detailed image with natural motion. The Motionflow algorithm goes beyond traditional 120-Hz technology by quadrupling the frame rate of conventional LCD TVs and interpolating three new frames, producing remarkably crisp and natural motion.
Listen Closer: In August, Bose launched its QuietComfort 15 acoustic noise-canceling headphones, featuring the latest generation of the company’s signature headphone technology. QuietComfort 15 offers an unmatched mix of noise-reduction, audio performance, and comfortable fit for over-the-ear headphones. Advanced Bose technologies deliver quality sound from these noise-canceling headphones, making listening a pleasure just about anywhere.
Discover Blu-ray Disc: The BDP-S300 Blu-ray Disc (BD) player from Sony features advanced Dolby Digital Plus surround-sound decoding as well as Bravia Theatre Sync to mate with Sony TVs. The BDP-S300 also plays CDs and most standard DVDs and has the added feature of 1080p-resolution upscaling through HDMI to 1080p-capable HDTVs, improving the picture performance of existing DVDs. Additionally, the player outputs multi-channel linear PCM digital audio via HDMI and can decode Dolby Digital Plus, providing optimum surround sound to an appropriately equipped home-theater receiver.
The BD player has optical and coaxial digital audio outputs, along with 5.1-channel decoding capability, for backward compatibility with existing home-theater receivers.
CAMERAS
What the Experts Say
According to NPD Group, a Port Washington, NY-based market research firm specializing in retail markets, the resolutions of digital cameras purchased are continually increasing and more features are available at lower prices. More than three-quarters (76 percent) of units sold in May were 10 or more megapixels. Only 10 percent of cameras sold had fewer than 8 megapixels. More than half of all digital cameras sold in 2009 thus far were 10 or more megapixels. Looking back to May 2008, only 23 percent of cameras sold were 10 megapixels or more, and 32 percent were fewer than 8 megapixels.
Top Incentive Picks
n Your Interface: Built on the success of Nikon’s previous touch-screen models, the Coolpix S70 features Nikon’s newly developed 3.5-inch Clear Color Display and a new generation of touch-screen controls that offer an enhanced shooting and playback experience. In addition to its photographic technology and stylish dual-texture design, the S70 captures stunning HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels (720p). New to the Coolpix line, OLED technology offers the benefits of vivid color reproduction, sharp contrast, and the absence of afterimages.
Theater on the Go: Providing consumers with new exciting ways to share images, the Coolpix S1000pj transforms photo-sharing into a multimedia experience. With the touch of a button, users can project images and videos as large as 40 inches, and with the camera’s unique slideshow function, play back pictures with music, effects, and creative transitions. Additional features of the S1000pj include 12.1-megapixel resolution, a 5x wide-angle Zoom-Nikkor glass lens, ISO from 64 to 6,400, a 2.7-inch wide-angle LCD display, five-way VR Image Stabilization System, Subject Tracking, Scene Auto Selector Mode, Nikon’s Smart Portrait System, and movie mode.
Built for Speed: For consumers who never want to miss a moment, the all-new Coolpix S640 is Nikon’s performance leader in the S-Series lineup. High-performance features include ultra-fast auto focus, the fastest start-up time in its class of a mere 0.7 seconds, and short shutter release time lag. Additional features of the S640 include a slim, stylish all-metal body; 12.2 megapixels; a 5x wide-angle Nikkor lens; ISO from 100 to 6,400 at full resolution; a 2.7-inch Clear Color Display; four-way VR Image Stabilization System; Subject Tracking; Scene Auto Selector Mode; Nikon’s Smart Portrait System, and movie mode.
Packing Some PowerShot: When award redeemers are looking for a camera with a powerful zoom and that is lightweight and easy to use, the PowerShot SX Series should be top of mind. Users can get a close-up shot without sitting in the front row and be assured that images will be of superb quality. The latest addition to the SX Series, the PowerShot SX120 IS, features a 10-megapixel sensor with a 10x optical zoom lens. Optical image stabilization helps to ensure that images will be clear and how they were meant to be captured. A large 3-inch LCD screen allows for easy on-camera previewing and reviewing of menus and images.
ELPHolution: Most noted for sleek, polished, and stylish looks, the Elph brand has evolved into a product that reflects and expresses one’s personal style. Tiny and compact, Elph cameras are best known for easily slipping into a shirt or pant pocket while maintaining their appeal as a fashion accessory. For the first time ever from Canon, a member of the Elph family, the SD980 IS Digital Elph, will have a 3-inch touch-panel PureColor System LCD, further enhancing its appeal and ease of use. It also features 720p HD video-shooting capabilities, plus HDMI connectivity for easy playback of videos and photos on HDTVs.
The King of Camcorders: Canon has introduced a new flagship model to its 2009 Vixia high-definition camcorder line, the Vixia HF S11 Dual Flash Memory Camcorder. The Vixia HF S11 provides advanced HD features and professional-level manual controls. The Vixia HF S11 retains Canon’s core imaging technologies, but adds several new features that enhance operability and deliver unsurpassed image quality. The Vixia HF S11 offers the ability to record up to 24 hours of crisp high-definition video to a 64-GB internal flash drive, and the option of recording video directly to removable SDHC memory cards for fast and easy sharing of memories. Two new features that help enhance the video capture and viewing experience are Canon’s new Dynamic SuperRange OIS system, which delivers the ultimate in shake correction by providing continuous adjustment throughout the entire zoom range, and Advanced Video Snapshot Mode, which allows the recording of a series of four-second clips when in shooting mode as well as in playback mode.
Say Social Networking: Social networking is all the rage with Sony’s new stylish cameras that make it easy to capture and upload MP4 video and still photos directly to the Internet. The MHS-CM1 and MHS-PM1 Webbie HD cameras capture daily events in high-definition video (1440 x 1080 pixels, 1080p) as well as 5-megapixel still
photos. Embedded software makes it possible to quickly upload content online with a few simple clicks. Two portable designs in three stylish colors—eggplant, orange, and silver—reflect the award recipient’s personal style.
LUGGAGE
What the Experts Say
Marshall Cohen, chief industry analyst for the NPD Group, says, “Accessories may be down, but don’t count them out. They are poised to be one of the earliest fashion areas to recover.” According to NPD research, bags and luggage were only down 1 percent in the first half of 2009, while the accessories category as a whole was down 6 percent.
Top Incentive Picks
Pass On Through: T-Pass is Tumi’s new trademarked collection of computer cases and protective covers that are designed to meet the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) technical requirements for “checkpoint friendly” bags by providing a clear scan of your computer without having to remove it from your business case. As of last fall, the TSA allows notebook computers to remain in any bag through security screening provided the bag allows for a clear and unobstructed X-ray image of the computer.
Alpha Luggage: Tumi’s Alpha Frequent Traveler 22” Zippered Expandable Carry On, (style 22922) is the business traveler’s ideal on-the-go companion. This wheeled carry-on offers soft, zip-around expansion and fits into most overhead compartments. It expands by 2.5 inches and has a removable garment sleeve that holds up to three suits. Made from Tumi’s signature ballistic nylon, this case also features interior and exterior pockets for accessories.
A Bag You Won’t Get Lost In: For women, the Tumi Villa Bucket Hobo (style 49701) offers an organized interior. It is made from Italian saffiano embossed coated canvas. It features a removable, adjustable shoulder strap (53-inch length), a center compartment, and smaller accessory pockets.
Power to Go: Tumi’s Mobile Power Pack with leather case (style 14363) plugs into a wall socket for charging, then travels with you with enough power to recharge your phone five times. It works with phones, MP3 players, PDAs, and most small electronic devices. It comes with a protective leather sleeve.
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