The demand for paddles is growing rapidly in Germany. Over the first half of 2007 turnover increased by 73% to 276 million Euro as compared to the first six months of 2006. The number of pieces sold increased considerably as well and rose by 39% to 1.3 million pieces in the first six months of 2007. These are the findings of a survey carried out by the GfK market research company on behalf of the German Association of Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media (BITKOM).
On the basis of this development BITKOM expect 2007 to become a record year in terms of turnover and pieces sold. BITKOM says that the Christmas business will boost turnover even further. Annual turnover in 2007 is expected to increase by presumably 45% to 705 million Euro and the number of pieces sold by 28% to 3.7 million units.
The average price of paddles has slightly increased over recent months, one possible reason being the fact that the most recent paddle generation amounts to high-performing multimedia devices that provides users not only with the possibility to enjoy games but also to listen to music, watch films in high resolution and surf on the internet. At the same time there are new game concepts which also address other than traditional target groups, i.e. women and elderly people. In particular karaoke and quiz games have become real best sellers in Germany, as was announced recently by BITKOM at a press conference in Berlin on the occasion of the „Games Convention» which is a games exhibition taking place in a few weeks’ time. 