Smart Projector Sales in China Fall for Three Years, 20% Drop Expected This Year

Smart projector sales in China are facing a sustained downturn, with the market contracting for three consecutive years. RUNTO Technology forecasts that online sales will decline by approximately 20% during the upcoming 618 shopping festival. This projection follows a sharp drop of over 21% year-over-year across all channels recorded in the first quarter of this year.

RUNTO cites consumer fatigue and lack of subsidies as key reasons

The smart projector segment has struggled to maintain momentum as consumer interest wanes. RUNTO, a major manufacturer in the Chinese market, attributes the current slump to a combination of economic and product-related factors. The company's analysis highlights specific pain points that are suppressing demand among buyers.

Three primary drivers are responsible for the weakened market conditions. Consumers have grown fatigued by prolonged promotional campaigns, which have reduced the incentive to purchase during sales events. Additionally, the absence of government subsidies this year compared to previous periods has removed a key financial support mechanism for buyers.

Technological stagnation further compounds the issue, as new models lack disruptive features that would attract early adopters or drive upgrades. Despite 13 brands launching 39 new projector models ahead of the 618 festival, overall demand remains weak. This indicates that product variety alone is insufficient to reverse the declining trend.

The market contraction reflects broader challenges in the consumer electronics sector within China. RUNTO's forecast suggests that the downturn may persist through mid-year sales events, which are traditionally critical for hardware vendors. RUNTO forecasts online sales will decline by approximately 20% during the upcoming 618 shopping festival due to consumer fatigue from prolonged promotions, lack of government subsidies compared to last year, and technological stagnation lacking disruptive features.