Winning time for TV sales in FIFA frenzy

The FIFA World Cup 2014 tournament gave a boost to sales of television sets in China last month, especially online purchases, as fans sought out large-screen, high-definition models with smart functions such as replay.

The sporting event opened on June 12 and ends on July 13.

During the second week of the World Cup, retail sales of televisions in physical stores soared 68 percent year-on-year to 242,000 sets, while online sales surged 87 percent to 230,000 sets. That was also the peak week for June, according to All View Consulting Ltd, which analyzes the market for electrical appliances.

Electronics retailer Suning Commerce Group Co Ltd said TV sales surged 70 percent year-on-year in June, with models featuring screens of 50 inches and above accounting for more than 60 percent.

The World Cup is being broadcast for the first time in 4K resolution, which has a definition nine times higher than standard high-definition TVs.

Nearly 40 percent of Suning's sales were for 4K models.

"A niche has developed in the television market for large-screen, high-definition models" for viewing sports events, said Zhang Zhiyong, manager of a Suning outlet in Beijing.

"Audiences can notice a significant difference when watching the games with a clear and large screen since there's constant movement in a game, and a large-screen TV can offer a good panoramic view of the stadium," he said.

Suning said most customers buy models with 55-inch screens. They carry an average price tag of about 6,000 yuan ($960), including domestic and Sino-foreign joint venture products. The largest available TV in China has a 90-inch screen and can cost up to 110,000 yuan.

Along with solid in-store sales, more customers are buying online.

According to JD.com Inc, China's largest online direct sales company, LG Corp's 60-inch plasma TV, priced at 4,999 yuan, is entirely sold out.

Sichuan Changhong Electric Co Ltd's model named CHiQ was also among the most popular models. Its functions include replays. In June, often a low season for TV sales, the product's sales jumped 36 percent from May on the strength of World Cup fans.