DOUBLE CELEBRATION IN 2024: 25 YEARS OF ELETROLAR NEWS AND 17 YEARS OF ELETROLAR SHOW
Celebrating the milestone of 25 years of excellence, Eletrolar News magazine has been the link between the electronics industry and retail, consolidating the Eletrolar Show as the unavoidable annual meeting for negotiations and strengthening commercial ties. In 2024, the fair expands its exhibition area to 36 thousand sqm of innovation and opportunities.
This quarter century is a testament to the magazine’s ongoing commitment to its readers and partners. Eletrolar News, unique in its segment in Brazil, has been a showcase for the launch of products and technologies, reflecting market developments and the fast pace of a world where communication is key to successful business strategies.
In an exclusive interview, Carlos Clur, the visionary behind Eletrolar News, shares insights into the publication’s trajectory. He highlights that reaching the 25-year milestone is more than an achievement, it is an incentive to continue with the mission of delivering quality content that resonates with the dynamism of the sector. The magazine, which began as a risky investment, today positions itself as an authority, connecting the market through an influential network, which is the backbone of Grupo Eletrolar, organizer of the main business fair in Latin America.
Carlos recalls the motivation to start the publication, inspired by the vibrant energy of Brazil and the gap in specialized media that could unite the electronics industry and retail. His decision to invest all his savings in launching Eletrolar News was rewarded by the significant impact the magazine achieved on the market.
Is reaching 25 years of the magazine an achievement?
Carlos Clur – Without a doubt, and it encourages us to continue with the honest work we have developed over the years. The first years of publication were a great adventure and, at the same time, a great investment. It took three years for the magazine to become profitable. Today, it is a great channel of communication and integration with the market. It was also fundamental in building the network that is now part of Grupo Eletrolar, a B2B multimedia company, which organizes the Eletrolar Show fair, the largest business meeting in the market in Latin America.
What motivated the creation of the publication?
CC – In 1996, in Argentina, together with my father, I founded the magazine Integración Empresária, with almost the same focus, and I came to Brazil for the publication to interview Hugo Miguel Etchenique, founder of Brastemp, in 1998, the year I practically spent on a bridge flight São Paulo-Buenos Aires. I was already infected by the energy of Brazil, a country that I love, but what caught my attention was the fact that, with all its potential, it did not have a vehicle of communication to integrate the electronics industry and retail. I already lived more in Brazil than in Argentina and, in 1999, I created Eletrolar News. In the project, I invested all my savings. Worth it? A lot, I answer. I arrived in Brazil when I was 22 years old, and I have lived here for 25 years.
What are the main changes in the sector in these years?
CC – The transformations that the sector has witnessed in recent decades are profound. From the online commerce revolution and the advent of digital marketplaces to the introduction of disruptive technologies such as Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, the electronics industry has never been so dynamic. The adoption of augmented and virtual reality in sales strategies, and the retail response with advanced services and logistics are some of the trends that have reshaped consumers’ shopping experience.
“The cell phone changed consumer behavior and, more than 30 years after its launch, the product continues to be the sales leader in the category.”
Technology has changed the industry, retail, and consumers, generating new businesses. The cell phone changed shopping behavior and, more than 30 years after its launch, it continues to be number one in sales. Among the most notable changes are online sales, which allowed consumers to compare prices and buy from home, digital marketplaces and personalization and data-based recommendations. Big Data and AI have made the shopping experience more targeted and efficient. With augmented (AR) and virtual (VR) reality, stores have created immersive shopping experiences. The rapid evolution of electronics, with new technologies, has changed store inventory. Retail now offers complete service and logistics solutions, such as delivery within two hours. Marketing has expanded to include social media, and we have reached subscription business models, which allow consumers to use the latest technology without the need for purchase.
Has the sector made progress on issues related to the environment?
CC – Very. Advances are significant, with a growing demand for sustainable electronics and the adoption of recycling practices, which reflect stronger environmental awareness. Eletrolar News has played a vital role in educating people about the correct disposal of electronics, reinforcing its commitment to the environment in each edition. Today, for example, most products have components made from recycled material. Eletrolar News magazine, in every edition, features two articles that address the benefits of correctly disposing of electronics.
What’s new at the 17th Eletrolar Show?
“Increasing demand for sustainale electronics and recycling practices has led to a shift in products and reverse logistics policies. Today, for example, most products have components made from recycled material.”
CC – The fair, which will be held from July 15th to 18th this year, will have 36 thousand sqm of exhibition area, 10% more than occupied in 2023, more than 700 exhibitors and 2,500 brands from all product categories in the electronics and correlates. The expectation is that it will receive more than the 32 thousand visitors last year. As occurs annually, Grupo Eletrolar will sponsor the trip of 600 buyers from large chains that are not based in São Paulo and for whom the fair organization will pre-schedule meetings.
Carlos Clur interviews Hugo Miguel Etchenique, founder of Brastemp.
Grupo Eletrolar has already held two fairs, and the third is in preparation. Is it the path to internationalization?
CC – Since 2015, Eletrolar News magazine has been published in Portuguese and English and distributed at international fairs and events. Grupo Eletrolar effectively operates in two countries, Brazil, and Argentina, and is now working hard on the path to internationalization, with the launch of a fair in Mexico. In Brazil, this year, we are holding the 17th Eletrolar Show and, in Argentina, the 4th Electronics Home, the most important fair in the country. In 2025, we will take Latin American Electronics to Mexico, with the same concept of generating more business between industry and retail, seeking to increase the visibility of brands globally. It is also an opportunity for local industries to increase their exports. The three fairs provide synergy to the Grupo Eletrolar and increase its visibility in the global calendar of trade fairs in the electronics market.
INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY AT CES 2024
The largest technology and electronics fair in the world, CES, held last January in Las Vegas, in the United States, brought together the biggest brands in the sector, who presented innovations and trends that will shape the technological scenario. Among the highlights, the giants TCL, Panasonic, Whirlpool Corporation, LG, and Samsung, as well as the renowned Baseus, impressed visitors with their launches.
TCL, a reference in screen technology, presented significant advances in TVs with ultra-sharp resolutions and Mini LED technology. Announced the largest 4K Mini LED TV in the world, at 115”. The device features more than 5,000 dimming zones, a new processor and maximum brightness. It also surprised with smart home devices and residential energy storage system.
Panasonic‘s highlight was its commitment to sustainability. It presented smart solutions for homes and urban environments. Launched devices divided into four pillars: Eat Well, Feel Well, Connect Well and Move Well, with microwave oven, EH-NA0J hair dryer, GNW10 wireless gaming speaker and audio system automotive INFINITI QX80+Klipsch.
LG showed the improvement of its OLED screens, which provide more vibrant colors and improved contrasts. This is the case with the 77” Wireless 4K Transparent OLED TV. The company surprised us with the launch of interconnected smart devices, which provide a more integrated experience for the user.
With interaction and new experiences for the home, Samsung focused on AI technology and connectivity between smartphones, tablets, TVs, and home appliances. It presented the update on Ballie, the mobile robot with artificial intelligence, capable of passing information to the user, such as the weather forecast.
Baseus brought fast charging solutions and smart accessories. These include the Baseus Eli Sport 1 wireless headset, the Baseus Spacemate Series USB-C 11-port, the Baseus Blade2 high-capacity power bank, and fast chargers. It also presented the first series of security cameras with expandable local storage of up to 16 TB, via a portable hard drive that protects data against cyber-attacks, and with longer battery life.Owner of the Brastemp, Consul and KitchenAid brands in Brazil, Whirlpool Corporation presented SlimTech, vacuum thermal insulation technology for refrigerators. With the launch, the refrigerators will have wall thickness reduced by up to 66%, which will allow 25% greater capacity inside the appliances and reduced energy consumption.
Source: Eletrolar News Ed. 159 – Especial Presidentes
