LASER has expanded its retro-themed consumer electronics range in Australia as interest and sales for its retro products triple.
The new line-up includes a portable cassette boombox, a Bluetooth turntable, a lava lamp with a built-in speaker, a gaming projector and a handheld retro console. Retail prices range from AUD $69.95 to AUD $299.
The expansion comes as nostalgia-led devices gain ground with consumers seeking alternatives to constant screen use. LASER attributed the demand to younger buyers rediscovering vinyl and retro games, while older consumers return to physical media and familiar formats.
Research cited by LASER points to broader unease about digital habits. An Australian Youth Digital Index survey of more than 5,000 people aged eight to 25 found 36 per cent said the internet and devices negatively affected their sleep, while separate figures showed 76 per cent of Zoomer respondents were attracted to retro technology.
Managing Director Chris Lau said the shift had outlasted the usual cycle of short-lived electronics trends.
"We don't see this as just another trend, but more so a cultural shift. After 40 years in the consumer tech market, we've seen countless trends come and go. But one thing has remained constant: retro has never disappeared. And right now, Australia is in the midst of a major retro revival."
Lau said demand was being shaped as much by concern over digital overload as by nostalgia. He described retro devices as a way for consumers to spend less time on phones and more time with physical objects and shared entertainment.
"In a world of constant technological change and growing anxiety around AI, Aussies are craving experiences that feel real, not just digital. Retro is becoming a lifestyle choice and a way for people to disconnect from their phones and reconnect with real-world experiences."
Product mix
The lowest-priced additions are the Bluetooth turntable and lava lamp speaker, both at AUD $69.95. The turntable supports 33, 45 and 78 RPM playback and includes built-in speakers, while the lava lamp combines ambient lighting with wireless audio playback and a 3.5mm auxiliary input.
The cassette boombox, priced at AUD $99.95, combines older playback formats with newer connections. It plays cassettes and supports Bluetooth streaming, USB, microSD and AM/FM radio, with the option to record mixes from Bluetooth or other sources.
At the higher end, the handheld retro console costs AUD $129.95 and includes 50 preloaded licensed games on a 3.5-inch display. The gaming projector, priced at AUD $299, comes with more than 80 built-in titles and support for ROM emulators linked to older console systems including NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Sega Genesis, N64, Game Boy and Atari.
Lau said LASER was aiming to pair familiar designs with features now expected by mainstream buyers.
"At LASER, retro is more than nostalgia, it's about reimagining classic design with modern performance. Take our portable cassette player: it keeps the charm of old-school mixtapes while adding Bluetooth so you can stream straight from your smartphone. The same can be said for the lava lamp, now paired with a Bluetooth speaker on board."
Physical media
The launch also reflects the persistence of older formats in the Australian home entertainment market. DVD players have remained among LASER's best-selling categories over the past five years, despite the dominance of streaming services.
That continuing demand for discs and players provides context for the company's latest push into products built around tactile use and ownership rather than subscription access. Turntables, cassette players and standalone games devices all fit that pattern, even when updated with Bluetooth or rechargeable batteries.
LASER has been in the Australian consumer electronics market for more than 40 years and started by selling DVDs and CDs. It now sells across categories including home entertainment, portable power, audio, gaming and connectivity.
Lau said that legacy shaped LASER's view that demand for physical media had not disappeared.
"For LASER, the resurgence of retro has been both nostalgic and exciting as we approach our 40th anniversary next year. We started out selling DVDs and CDs, and it's been incredible to see people still cherish physical media as they dust off their old movie collections and relive those classics. DVD players have remained one of our best-selling categories over the last five years, showing Aussies still want entertainment that's tangible, simple and affordable."