Sales of Blu-ray recorders and LCD TVs surged in Japan, according to the latest figures released by GfK marketing Services Japan. Sales of Blu-ray Disc recorders reached 1.34 million units, rapidly increasing from the preceding year's 160,000 units.

Compared with total sales of DVD players/recorders and Blu-ray recorders, which edged down 0.1% year-on-year to 7.15 million units in 2008, the numbers reflect the fact that the DVD market is shifting to Blu-ray Disc.

Pressured by Blu-ray Disc recorders, DVD recorder sales declined sharply by 27.6% YoY to 2.24 million units. In the video recorder market, the share of Blu-ray Disc recorders expanded to 37% on a volume basis and 53% on a value basis.

In the 2008 year-end sales season, in particular, the growth of Blu-ray Disc recorder market share accelerated to 62% on a volume basis and 75% on a value basis.

TV sales rose 10% year-on-year to 10.31 million units in 2008, surpassing the 10-million threshold for the first time in seven years since hitting 10.38 million units in 2001. LCD TV sales surged in particular, increasing 20% to 9.06 million units or rising 8% on a value basis over the previous year, according to GfK Japan.

Story filed 07.03.09