Rising TV Prices From Higher Panel Costs to ‘Hinder Demand:' DSCC

LCD TV panel prices are “peaking” in July, and will likely decline for the rest of 2021, reported Display Supply Chain Consultants Monday. The demand surge from the pandemic “has eased and industry supply has caught up,” it said: “Even with the declines in the second half, prices at year-end will remain higher than they were in December 2020 and dramatically higher than their all-time lows.” The higher panel prices “have led to an unprecedented increase in TV prices in the US, which will hinder demand,” said DSCC. “The path of the pandemic continues to suggest a headwind for global TV demand,” as the world’s developed economies open up, removing “the stay-at-home spur, while emerging economies are still struggling with COVID and suffering an economic slowdown.” TVs imported to the U.S. from all countries in 2021's first five months had $289.77 in average customs value, up 19% from January-May 2020, reported the Census Bureau.