PRESS: Expansion of fake gadgets may cut sales of smart wearables

MOSCOW, Mar 29 (PRIME) -- Sales of headphones and other portable devices in Russia may decrease in January–March and in 2023 overall as the share of counterfeit gadgets rises, business daily Kommersant reported on Wednesday.

Demand for headphones, smartwatches, and fitness trackers may fall by 20% in 2023 in natural terms because of a decline in the delivery of popular brands, while new brands from China, which came to the market after electronics makers left Russia, meet the demand only in the low and mid-price segments, a representative of distributor diHouse told the daily.

The buyers still opt for popular producers, the representative said.

Suspension of work of Apple and Samsung in the country depressed sales of wearables heavily, and they may drop by 20% in money in January–March, according to group of companies F+ tech – Marvel.

A representative at an electronics distributor said that demand for headphones and portable speakers is decreasing because of the customers’ fears to buy a fake device. Such expectations took shape after the share of counterfeit products had increased by the end of 2022.

News and research agency TelecomDaily General Director Denis Kuskov said that people try to save, while audio devices are a kind of luxury.

“It is not always about the risk to buy a fake. In case with phones and tablets, many people are afraid that a model destined for another region will not function in Russia,” he said.

End