Jaycar

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Jaycar Electronics

Type	Private
Founded	1981
Headquarters	Silverwater Australia
Key people	Gary Johnston (Managing Director)
Industry	Electronics / Retail
Products	Electronic kits Electrical Components Semiconductors Electrical enclosures Batteries & chargers Power supplies Alarm systems Telephone accessories Electronic testing equipment Speakers Car audio Computers Lighting Books Antennas
Revenue	Unknown
Employees	450 (2006)
Slogan	"JAYCAR - STILL NO.1 FOR KITS!"
Website	www.jaycar.com.au

Jaycar is an Australian and New Zealand electronics retailer dealing in electronic components for the electronics enthusiast.

Jaycar was founded in 1981 when Gary Johnston bought John Carr Pty Ltd. A major portion of their catalogue is devoted to what they term "hardcore electronics", differentiating them from rivals such as Dick Smith Electronics. Jaycar's catalogue comes bundled with Silicon Chip Magazine anually, and is also available for separate purchase. The catalogue originally contained a data section, but the information has since been relocated to the company's website. It is available for free download.

While its high-profile competitors have moved toward the consumer market with items such as personal computers and televisions, Jaycar has opted to remain focused primarily on the electronics enthusiast. This is (with some exceptions) shown in the quality of staff, who at Jaycar are generally competent to deal with real-world electronics matters. At other retail outlets the staff are often retail sales-centred whose product knowledge extends to competancy in the use of computers, home and portable entertainment.

[edit] Entities

Gadget Central, a retail chain started in 2002 primarily to sell novelty electronic products.
Electus Distribution, Jaycar's wholesale electronics division.