Parks Associates to Discuss Retail Strategies and the CE and Smart Home Markets at CONNECTIONS™ Summit at  CES with Lowe’s, Arrayent, WeatherBug, Ericsson and more

New research from Parks Associates shows initiatives from retailers this holiday season will push smart home devices closer to mass-market adoption, with 37% of U.S. broadband households planning to purchase a smart home device in the next 12 months. Multiple retailers are expanding the shelf space devoted to these devices, with Best Buy in particular devoting over 800 square feet in some locations to its connected home initiative. The entry of big brands like Apple, Google, and Honeywell is also increasing consumer awareness and making smart home devices popular as gifts.

Among connected devices acquired in the first three quarters of 2014, 15% of smart home devices, including 23% of smart thermostats, were received as gifts. On average, 32% of all smart devices acquired in 2013 were gifts, and Parks Associates expects the final numbers in 2014 to top that. The firm's 3Q 2014 survey of 10,000 U.S. broadband households reports 24% plan to purchase a smart lights in the next 12 months, 15% plan to purchase a smart home/kitchen appliance, 14% plan to purchase a smart thermostat, and 12% plan to purchase smart door locks.

“Purchase intentions for smart devices are increasing, and this rise speaks to the marketing and brand power of manufacturers like Google, which acquired Nest, and Honeywell,” said Stuart Sikes, President, Parks Associates. “The brand recognition combined with the unique quality of these products makes them attractive gifts, so 2014 holiday shopping is going to help push the smart home out of the early adopter phase. In 2015, we will see the percentages of all smart devices sold increase dramatically.”

During 2015 International CES in Las Vegas next month, Parks Associates and companies including WeatherBug, Ericsson, Lowes, Arrayent, and Alarm.com will examine the smart home market at the firm’s CONNECTIONS™ Summit : Monetizing Smart Home Solutions and Connected Devices. The summit, held January 6 at CES Tech West, Venetian Ballrooms Level 1, Casanova rooms 601-603, includes six executive sessions and a networking-and-cocktails reception sponsored by Greenwave Systems.

“In addition to awareness and overall purchase intentions increasing, another key factor is the amount of floor and shelf space retailers like Best Buy, Apple, Home Depot, and Lowe’s are dedicating to smart home devices,” said Maia Hinkle, Research Analyst, Parks Associates. “With two-thirds of U.S. broadband households unfamiliar with smart home products or services and nearly 70% unfamiliar with where to buy smart home products, this attention to retail strategies will be imperative to growing the market.”

Tom Kerber, Director, Research, Home Controls & Energy, Parks Associates  will moderate two sessions on smart home devices, consumer demand, and business strategies at the CONNECTIONS™ Summit:

“Internet of Things: Expanding Smart Devices,” featuring speakers:

• Amena Ali, CMO, Earth Networks - WeatherBug
• Ken Durand, Vice President, Innovation and Business Development, Ericsson
• Shane Dyer,  President,  Arrayent
• Matt Plante, CEO, EcoFactor
• Adam Tichelaar, Director, Connected Home Solutions & Program Management, Amdocs
• Nate Williams, CMO and EVP of Business Development, Greenwave Systems

"Smart Home: Channel Strategies and Business Models,” featuring speakers:

• Kevin Petersen, President, AT&T Digital Life
• Marcus Scheiber, CEO & Co-Founder, ROC-Connect, Inc.
• Brian Seemann, President, Resolution Products, Inc.
• Steve Shapiro, VP of Product Solutions, ADT
• Christopher Williams, Sr. Director Product Strategy and Development, Time Warner Cable

Previously released IoT and smart home research from Parks Associates shows 13% of U.S. broadband households own at least one smart home device, but that number will exceed 20 million units by the end of 2014, increasing to nearly 36 million units by 2017.

CONNECTIONS™ Summit will be held Tuesday, January 6, at CES Tech West in the Venetian Ballrooms Level 1, Casanova Rooms 601-603. Reception Sponsor is Greenwave Systems, and Event Sponsors include Alarm.com, Amdocs, Axiros, Ayla Networks, CSS Corp, Earth Networks, EcoFactor, Emerson, Lowe’s, Qualcomm, Resolution Products, ROC-Connect, Support.com and ULE Alliance.

For information, contact [email protected] or call 972-490-1113. Follow the event on Twitter at @CONN_Summit and #CONNSummit15. Registration is open to registered CES media and attendees.

About CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES

CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES is an annual research and industry event hosted by international research firm Parks Associates at CES in Las Vegas. In 2023, the executive event features one day of panel discussions on the state of the smart home, connected health, home security, and new home services, with trends and implications for connected consumers and opportunities for companies to build new revenues and develop innovative business models.

The 17th annual CONNECTIONS™ Summit will take place January 5 during CES, which runs January 5-8 in Las Vegas. Parks Associates hosts a day of sessions at the Venetian Hotel, Lando 4304, followed by a networking reception. Follow the event on Twitter at @CONN_Summit.

For information about CONNECTIONS™ Summit, contact [email protected] or call 972-490-1113 or visit www.connectionssummit.com.

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