Retailers benefit from games.

New Zealand had one of its most successful Olympic games ever, But the athletes were not the only ones to benefit from the 2008 Olympics Games.

Electronic transactions showed an increase by 13 percent in appliance sales in the fortnight before the Olympic games started. The General manager of merchandise at one of New Zealands largest appliance retailers said the increase was seen in the sale of large screen flat panel televisions. It was seen as a result of the launch and the availability of high definition content on sky television and on freeview.

Television New Zealand is Free to air, The coverage of the games was outstanding and definitely the best ive ever seen, it prompted a real spike in sales, especially for the consumers who were after the two channels of Olympic coverage aswell as the enhanced viewing experience of high definition pictures and surround sound on FreeviewHD. These consumers were aware of the extended coverage of the games and chose to purchase the larger flat panel televisions, It was also a great build up to the games for television rental companies with many rental companies unable to keep up with the demand on short term rentals.

Who knows, Londons Olympics in 2012 might bring a spike in the sales of 3D TV.