[Leica] Leica Camera Solms: serious decline in sales

[mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner)]

They may be better capitalized now with Dr. Kaufmann.

A lot depends on them having come up with some real kick in the pants stuff
for Photokina.

I have a feeling they'll have one or two bombshells up their sleeves.
They've just been waiting. Using some restraint.
Waiting for the right moment to pounce.

Photokina.



mark@rabinergroup.com
Mark William Rabiner



> From: Didier Ludwig <leica@screengang.com>
> Reply-To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
> Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:37:56 +0200
> To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org>
> Subject: [Leica] Leica Camera Solms: serious decline in sales
> 
> Looks like Leica really needs to release new products at Photokina, as they
> lost 38% in sales in the first 2008 quarter.
> 
> The sales of the Panaleica compacts, which helped for a good 2007 result,
> broke down, as it is to be expected in a market with such short product
> lifecycles. Higher expenses in the research dept. reduced the income as 
> well
> as the delay of several product launches.
> 
> They hope that the products, which will be announced at photokina, will 
> help
> for better 2009/2010 sales.
> 
> But when I see their rather thin financial bandwidth, I don't believe they
> have the money to develop really revolutionary innovations. The competitors
> will probably flood the photokina with new fullframe bodies and a lot of 
> new
> fast primes and keep Leica dancing.
> 
> http://tinyurl.com/5s753m (german article)
> 
> Didier
> 
> 
> 
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