Aeon to launch small flat-panel TV for10, 000 baht

In another price-cutting move to stimulate consumption amid an economic slowdown, Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co. is now offering 18.5- inch flat-screen digital television sets for 29,800 yen (10,665 baht) per unit.

The price is much lower than comparable TVs with a 19-inch liquid crystal display panel, which sell for almost double the price at big discount home appliance stores, analysts said.

Aeon will sell 10,000 units of the stripped-down TV, manufactured in South Korea by Tokyo based audio-visual equipment maker Dynaconnective Co., at 300 Jusco, Saty and other outlets across Japan other than Okinawa Prefecture, according to the officials.

The supermarket chain will procure more TVs form Dynaconnective if demand proves strong.

The TV is covered by the government program to give ''eco points'' for energy-efficient air conditioners, refrigerators and televisions that are capable of receiving high-quality terrestrial digital broadcasting. Under the program aimed at promoting Japan's battle against global warning, up to 10,000 eco points, equivalent to 10,000 yen, will be given to buyers, lowering the effective price of the TV to as low as 19,800 yen.

Aeon decided to offer the inexpensive digital TVs as Japan will end analog broadcasting in July 2011.

The company began selling 32- inch LCD TVs, with built-in DVD players, at a price of 49,800 yen in February. The retailer also began selling jeans for 880 yen apiece Friday.

According to market research firm GfK Marketing Services Japan Ltd., sales of 20-inch or smaller flat screen TVs at major discount appliance store chains doubled in July over a year earlier. The average price of 19-inch TVs is 44,000 yen