IFA Is Back: Take an Early Look Around Europe's Biggest Tech Show of 2022
BERLIN—Vendor participation at IFA 2022 doesn't quite match pre-pandemic levels but, in the days leading up to the show, the sprawling Berlin Messegelände exhibition grounds are still bustling with some 1,100 exhibitors(Opens in a new window) (down from 1,800 in 2019). Most of the big names in the consumer electronics and home appliance space are here including Bosch, Electrolux, Garmin, Haier, LG, Miele, Panasonic, and Samsung, just to name a few. PCMag is also in Berlin to report the latest tech announcements live from the show floor.
This year's IFA comes at a challenging time for the technical consumer goods (TCG) market. Fueled by the pandemic, the TCG market enjoyed exceptional growth in 2020 and 2021, respectively increasing 3.9% to $1.250 trillion and then 12.6% to $1.407 trillion, according to Sara Warneke, managing director of GFU consumer and home electronics.
“The pandemic-related boom is over, and the market is back to normal,” Warneke said during the IFA opening press conference. “But current sales are above 2019 levels.”
If you're hesitant to purchase a big consumer tech item at the moment, you're not alone. Due to Russia's war on Ukraine, inflation, supply chain issues, and COVID-19 uncertainty, global consumer confidence is trending down, Warneke noted.
Looking ahead, Warneke mentioned one factor that could drive consumer electronics sales this fall: the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Because the global soccer event is set to take place during the chilly months of November and December, people might be more likely to stay home and watch the action. And nothing spurs TV upgrades like a major sporting event. There is no shortage of new TVs here at IFA either, including LG's buzzy model LX3 OLED, which can switch
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