Are Motorized Window Treatments Following the Same Path as Televisions?

I remember when it came time to buy a television when I was a kid, it was a big deal to do so with my family. Televisions were major investments and those of us who had the big console televisions, well we were living BIG. Televisions were an investment and we did not take lightly when it came time to look at a new one.

Today, it is not to say that televisions are not an investment. Walk into any store looking for a mammoth flat screen or curved television and the price does make you have to think about purchasing. But, there are plenty of nice televisions one can purchase inexpensively. I just purchased my college age son a tv for his dorm room so he and his roommate can watch tv and play games. I bought a $250 television that was much bigger than what I had as a child sitting in my room! I think it was just as big as the console that my family had when I was a teenager!

So what does all of this have to do with window treatments? Well, it has some parallels. The parallels come when it comes down to the most simple products like 2 inch wood blinds and it also comes down to the other end of the spectrum for motorized window coverings. Back in the mid 90’s, 2 inch wood blinds started to replace the aluminum mini blind. It caught on fast. Today, the mini blind is almost non- existent and the 2 inch blind has been a staple item. Like televisions, now there are plenty of vendors selling and like televisions, not everything is made in the United States. Thus, the market allows consumers to purchase blinds in an array of price points just like televisions.

 

When it comes to motorized window treatments, a new wave is happening. All of the manufacturers have now dipped more than their big toe in the water. They like televisions have been growing the market . What once was a cost prohibitive item for many consumers purchasing custom window treatments is now just slightly more than a non motorized product. Our Hunter Douglas Regional Sales Manager said it best. He said..”Bruce, as the leading manufacturer of window covering products in the world, we want to sell window coverings. We have figured out a way to offer products with motors now and this is to help sell our product offerings and not hinder by being out of reach for the consumer”. Sounds to me like the window covering market is somewhat following the television market!