The semiconductor division of Royal Philips Electronics hopes to help consumer electronics makers make the move from cathode-ray tube to liquid-crystal display TVs with new chips.

Manufacturers pay fees to grocery stores to display certain products. This pay to play system explains a lot about how your grocery works and how certain products get your attention.

Some high-end televisions already cost 30 percent more than they did last summer. As the crunch continues, expect more gadget prices to spike.