Clock

Seventy percent of global clock supply is produced in China, where 1,000 small-to-large suppliers make a full range of analog and digital clocks. The United States imported more than one-third of China's total output of US$450 million in 2003. Production is based almost entirely in Guangdong province, and consists mainly of low-end premiums models. Basic quartz analog wall and table clocks currently lead output with a 37 percent share, with multifunction digital models second at 21 percent. Next year, expect multifunction digital clocks and novelty decorative quartz analog clocks to grow to prominence as makers consider these two categories have the best export growth potential. The market is already saturated with low-cost quartz analog clocks, which go for as little as 20 cents in Fujian province. In addition, the cost of producing an analog clock has increased to levels where clock manufacturers either have to cut profit margins or raise product prices.