This represents a tremendous opportunity for retailers, who can cut through this lack of understanding by educating their sales staff and training them on how to conduct effective audio demonstrations.

We have witnessed this year a phenomenal growth in MP3.

Both the wholesale and retail environment for consumer electronics is very tough, ... This is a brutal, competitive, low-margin business. Industry sales are struggling to grow because it's a saturated market with too many products.

Getting a foothold on the DVD market really gives you leverage in the TV market.

Wal-Mart's impact in almost every sector of retail is undeniable. It's hard for any company to stay competitive given Wal-Mart's significant cost advantages. And now Dell's entry into consumer electronics means the competition is becoming more intense.

While price remains a purchase driver, the results of this study show that the audio buyer still places sound quality at the top of their list. The good news for retailers is that many consumers are leaving the door of opportunity cracked open through their willingness to interact with a sales person and to receive a demonstration of better audio equipment.

It was pretty much a hit right out of the box, ... The price fell rapidly, and it was a product that was compellingly different from VHS. The sound quality was better and the picture quality was better.

We are projecting an increase in sales of MP3 players to $4.5 billion in 2006, with 30 percent of all MP3 players sold having video playback capability.