Samsung contemplates dropping TV, appliance biz in China
Samsung Electronics is weighing a potential exit from its TV and home appliance sales business in China, as intensifying competition and weakening profitability continue to cloud its outlook in one of the world’s largest consumer markets. Citing sources familiar with the matter, Japanese news outlet Nikkei reported Monday that the company is expected to decide as early as the end of this month whether to halt sales of its TVs and appliances in China, with potential plans to liquidate inventory and wind down operations within the year. The report said Samsung is considering maintaining its local manufacturing in China even if it exits sales, repositioning its production bases as export hubs serving nearby markets for home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners. The potential withdrawal comes as Chinese brands such as TCL and Hisense rapidly gain global market share, leveraging aggressive pricing and improving product quality. The combined share of Chinese brands in the global TV market reached 31.9 percent last year, surpassing Korea’s 30.4 percent, u
