What Display Daily thinks: Pretty visualizations like the one below create macro conversations where everyone has an opinion. In that spirit, you can opine from the chart below that the strongest economies look the most uncertain while developing economies seem to be on the upswing, separating out the two most populace states in the world, India and China.
You can choose to take any position that you want, but I would probably be very happy to know that vast numbers of potential consumers for my display products exist in very heavily populated areas. And, I would be even happier to know that those markets are very optimistic about their fortunes this year compared to the last.
I would also be very interested in the less than enthusiastic response of two countries, the US and South Korea. The US because of its sheer economic might and the opportunities to sell premium display products; South Korea because two giant market leaders, Samsung and LG, are smack dab in the middle of a less than average economic climate.
The market for 2024 is stack them high and sell them low, an old maxim for selling PCs that I was told early in my career. The result will be pricing pressure throughout the display industry’ supply chains. iLG and Samsung would do well to have a two tier brand solution, a bit like a Toyota-Lexus nexus, with competitive display products for the broader market, directly competing with Chinese manufacturers, which they seem to be determined to avoid than confront, and to then push premium products through premium branding.
The alternative is 2024 being a land grab by manufacturers who are capable of addressing the broader markets, who can sell into all the developing economies, and discount like they’re on fire in western markets. And it’s not about TVs and smartphones and monitors but digital signage, automotive, and every nook and cranny of the market that needs displays.
I find it hard to believe that South Korea’s giants are not going to feel more pain in 2024 than 2023, and it doesn’t seem like sanctions against China has done anything but create more determination to fight back wherever the opportunity allows.
The data below is not optimism or pessimism. It’s just a roadmap for opportunity. You may not like the nature of that opportunity, but no one cares about your feelings. They just need the right product.
Will 2024 be Better Than 2023
