3D TV content and hardware represents a significant opportunity for retailers to improve their revenues and margins. With 3D content availability expected to grow rapidly from this summer, a growing number of consumers will be looking to replace their existing TVs, DVD players, packaged media and cameras with 3D enabled replacements. Given that 3D TV, Blu-ray players, cameras and movie and game titles are all expected to sell for a premium over 2D versions and each viewer’s eyes will need 3D active shutter glasses, which currently sell for $150-$200 pair, the opportunity is significant. How retailers execute on this opportunity will be critical.

In addition, connected TVs also represent a significant opportunity for retailers as they provide another path for retailers to get into the home by getting placed onto the TV GUI allowing for easy viewing of weekly promotions, facilitating the scheduling of appointments and more.

To address these and other opportunities, the upcoming TV 3.0: Future of TV Conference—part of the Market Focus Conference Series produced by the Society for Information Display and IMS Conferences that will be held in Seattle on May 26 and 27 during Display Week 2010—will include a special session consisting of executives from:

• Amazon - the #1 online retailer
• Best Buy - the #1 retailer
• Bjorn’s - a leading regional retailer
• PRO Group - a leading TV buying group

Retailers will address questions such as:

• What are your expectations for 3D in 2010 and 2011?
• What are you doing differently to promote 3D and connected TVs in 2010 and 2011?
• What kind of 3D premiums do you expect to see in 2010 and 2011?
• What are consumers’ reactions to your 3D demos?
• How are you merchandising 3D glasses and how do you see that changing overtime?

With fewer brands and retailers compared to previous years, what will pricing and discounting be like this holiday season? Participants include:

• Benjamin Hartman, Director of Home Electronics, Amazon.com
  Benjamin oversees the Home Electronics business at Amazon.com; which includes televisions and Blu-ray players, audio, cameras and camcorders, and musical instruments. He has been with Amazon.com since 2002 where he has served various managerial functions within the Softlines businesses and most recently, managed the Sports & Outdoors business. Prior to joining Amazon, Benjamin served as an investment banker and financial analyst focusing on technology companies. Benjamin holds a B.S. from the University of Washington and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
• Steve Bosch, Director of Strategy, Best Buy
  In his role as Director of Strategy, Steve leads the strategy and business development efforts for Best Buy’s Home business unit, which includes Best Buy’s Home Theater, Magnolia and Video Service businesses. Steve and his team are involved in architecting Best Buy’s approach to 3D and embedded digital services on internet connectable home theater products. In his six years with Best Buy, Steve has held various positions in finance, strategy and business development across a variety of Best Buy’s product groups.
• Bjorn Dybdahl, President, Bjorn’s
  Bjorn founded his retail operation, Bjorn’s, in San Antonio over 30 years ago. He is a founding member of PARA, CEDIA and a memberof the PRO Buying Group and his store has won numerous awards.
• Dave Workman, Executive Director, PRO Buying Group
  Dave is Executive Director of the PRO buying group which coordinates merchandising, marketing and other business services for 17 mostly regional retailers representing $2B in CE sales. He was with Ultimate Electronics for 26 years rising to the President and CEO position and oversaw all facets of operations helping them grow to 65 stores in 15 states.

“This session promises to be a lively and informative dialogue as these key executives cover the gamut of the critical front line at retail, putting these exciting new technologies in front of the TV shopper” says session moderator Mark Schutter, Principal Analyst – Channel Research, IMS Research.

In addition to this retail session, The Future of TVs Conference will also include a 3D theater, a keynote from Samsung and sessions on 3D TVs, 3Dpanels/glasses/chipsets, wireless and remote control advances, implications of internet connected TVs for service providers and content developers, outlook for OLED TVs, advances in LED TVs and an industry/financial analyst panel session.