Gateway Plasma TVs become America's Top Sellers

Less than a year after launching its first plasma television, Gateway, Inc. became America's top seller of plasma screen TVs to consumers across all product sizes, surpassing Pioneer, Sony, Panasonic, Samsung and other traditional industry leaders, according to NPD Retail Point-of-Sale data and Gateway's own sales figures.

Gateway's initial plasma TV offering, its 42-inch Enhanced Definition (ED) Plasma TV, has been the number-one selling plasma TV since its launch in November. Now, Gateway sells more total plasma TVs across all size categories than any other maker.

NPD and Gateway data show that Gateway's 42-inch plasma screen in June held a 28 percent market share of major consumer electronics retailers. Since June, Gateway has further expanded its plasma line to include 42-inch and 50-inch High Definition models, as well as a 46-inch ED product.

"Gateway is democratizing cutting-edge technology, making thin TVs, with their high-quality displays and great looks, available to regular people," said T. Scott Edwards, Gateway's executive vice president for the consumer business-segment. "Adding in our successful new LCD TVs, we now sell six thin models, ranging in screen size from 17 inches right through to 50 inches, and we'll have more well ahead of the holiday shopping season."

One of Gateway's key competitive advantages in the marketplace is its ability to offer its thin TVs and other consumer-electronics devices direct to its customers through it network of 190 Gateway stores. Gateway's own data shows that about three-quarters of those who buy plasma TVs stop by a Gateway store to test out the model they have in mind -- even though they may ultimately order the system over the web or phone.

"TVs are big-ticket items that people are used to seeing first hand before they buy them," Edwards said. "Our recently redesigned stores have been an absolutely critical factor in the success of our digital TV line."