U.S. consumer electronics market to grow in 2007.

LAS VEGAS -- Sales of consumer electronics in the U.S. are projected to exceed $155 billion in 2007, or a 7% growth year-on-year, according to a Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) forecast.

The semi-annual industry forecast came out on the eve of the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the world's largest consumer technology trade show. "The consumer electronics industry has outdone itself once again, with revenues totaling $145 billion in 2006, and we're on track for another year of healthy growth," said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro.

CEA projected that display technologies will continue to be the leading category and will account for $26 billion in revenues for 2007. Next-generation consoles will make the video game market one to watch in 2007. MP3 players will continue to drive the audio market. CEA projected that MP3 players will account for 90% of the $6 billion in revenues for the portable entertainment market. Thirty-four million MP3 players shipped in 2006 and an additional 41 million are expected to ship in 2007.

The mobile electronics market drivers include portable navigation and GPS devices. Other product categories that will see substantial growth in 2007 are PCs, accessories and digital imaging devices. In 2006, shipment volumes of laptops outpaced desktop PCs. Digital imaging shipments are expected to exceed 32 million units, with revenues projected to reach $8 billion in 2007.