By Parija B. Kavilanz, CNNMoney.com staff writer:
NEW YORK — If you’re in the market for a new flatscreen TV this holiday season, you’re in luck.
As nervous merchants prepare to draw reluctant shoppers with juicy sales, retail experts say some of the sweetest deals in the coming weeks will be on high-definition televisions.
As they compete for customers, TV sellers are going to wage a price war, and the biggest bargains will likely be on smaller models.
"The difference from prior holiday discounts on TVs is that consumers will find really, really good prices on 32-inch to 37-inch HDTVs and not necessarily the 65-inch models," said Phillip Swann, a consumer electronics expert and publisher of TVpredictions.com.
"We’re already seeing 32-inch LCD models under $400. Typically they are $500, or more," he said. "And we’re also seeing prices drop from about a $1,000 for 40-inch screens to $800."
One example, Target is reportedly featuring a 32-inch Westinghouse LCD HDTV for $246 as a "doorbuster special" on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when holiday shopping kicks off in earnest.
"The $246 HDTV is the lowest price that we’ve ever seen for that model," said Brad Olson, founder of Gottadeal.com, a Web site that markets itself as one of many "official" Black Friday deal sites.
Ross Rubin, a consumer electronics analyst with market research firm NPD Group, agreed. "A 32-inch [TV] under $400 is going to be a key price point for merchants," Ross said.
"The smaller TV models also appeal to consumers who already have a 47 or 50-inch HDTV in the living room and they want to add another flatscreen in the bedroom or elsewhere," Rubin said.
At the same time, the economy and a shaky job market is also spurring interest in smaller-sized TVs.
"Consumers still want to buy a new TV, but at a smaller pricetag," said Swann. Full Store – Read More…….

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