Stalking the next Walkman

Article Abstract:

Sony Corp reports disappointing financial results for FY 1991 ending Mar 31, 1992, but plans to reinvigorate its sales with new foci in the computing arena. The electronics giant's operating income for the year drops by 45 percent, to approximately $1.3 billion. The parent company in Tokyo also posts its first operating loss, estimated at $160 million. Most of the firm's income is now derived from its entertainment business. In its attempts at a recovery, Sony has joined forces with Apple to combine the sleek, friendly Sony look with Apple's user-friendly software. One of the partnership's first products is the pen-operated Palmtop, which for its $1,000-plus price tag, has attracted much curiosity but little revenue. An even bigger venture is Sony's planned obsolescence for the Walkman, one of its most popular consumer electronics products. In its stead, Sony hopes to successfully market the more expensive Mini Disc Data Discman, a music machine that can be used as a mass storage device for multimedia technology and portable computers.

Electronic Components and Accessories, Planning, Product development, Consumer electronics industry, Consumer electronics, Ethical aspects, Sony Corp., Partnerships, CD-ROM, CD-ROM disks, Revenue, Outlook, Market Entry, Financial Report, Losses, Partnership, Cost of Operation, Product Discontinuation

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I.B.M. losing ground in Japan; U.S. computer giant slips into 3d place

Article Abstract:

IBM Japan Ltd, once an example of US success in Japan, has slipped during the last 18 months, losing market share, watching profits decline, cutting prices and moving too slowly with new product introductions, since late 1989. In the week of May 27, 1991, matters reached a climax when statistics were released indicating that IBM has fallen even further behind its competition and is now ranked third in the Japanese computer market, after Fujitsu Ltd and the NEC Corp. Using a word not heard before, IBM Chmn John Akers has called the company's 1st qtr in Japan 'disastrous.' In 1990, IBM Japan's sales grew at a 1.1 percent rate while the computer market as a whole in Japan grew at a 10 percent pace. IBM's difficulties in Japan are seen as especially significant because the Japanese market is suggestive of trends worldwide. The direction of things in Japan, therefore, can drive IBM's global strategies.

Office machines, not elsewhere classified, Foreign operations, International Business Machines Corp., IBM, Profits, Market share, International competition (Economics), Computer Industry, Marketing Strategy, Japanese Competition, Profit, IBM Japan Ltd.

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