Holiday Sales Will Be Dominated by Consumer Electronic Purchases, Says CEA

October 25, 2011

Consumer spending on electronics gifts will reach an all-time high this holiday shopping season, according to new research released today from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The research firm's 18th annual CE Holiday Purchase Patterns Study shows that overall spending this holiday will increase as well. The study was released today at CEA's Industry Forum in San Diego, a four-day conference for leaders in the consumer electronics (CE) industry.

Consumer electronics will account for one-third of all holiday gift spending this year, the group predicts. Consumers plan to spend on average $246 on electronics gifts, an increase of six percent from last year and the highest level since CEA began tracking holiday spending. Overall gift spending will also increase with consumers planning to spend on average $769 on gifts this year, three percent higher than last year. CEA expects holiday retail sales to increase 2.5 percent this year.

CEA also says that computing products will lead the way this holiday season, with tablet computers trailing only clothing as the most wanted gifts overall. Notebook computers are also high on the list, along with peace/happiness and money. When it comes to electronics, behind tablets and laptops, TVs (any type), e-Readers and video game consoles are the most wanted CE gifts.

Electronics accessories and gift cards will also be popular gifts, with four out of five adults planning to give a gift card this year, up five percent from last year. One in four consumers plans to give a gift card that can be used for digital music purchases, one in five for electronic book purchases and 16 percent for app purchases.

Given the current economic climate it does not come as a surprise that CEA says that price will be the most important factor as consumers decide where to buy their gifts. Ease of purchase and return policies are also important purchasing factors. Two-thirds of consumers say that they will compare the price for electronics online before making a purchase. Despite that, consumers are more likely to buy CE gifts at mass merchants and electronics stores than online or at warehouse clubs.

Image provided by Shutterstock. All rights reserved.


Comments

Re: Holiday Sales Will Be Dominated by Consumer Electronic ...

I heard the Holiday Sales are really successful. No doubt electronic gadgets or technologies were in demand to consumers to follow the technological trends these days. JP Morgan Chase, one of the country's biggest lending institutions, predicts that the economic forecast in the United States might not be as dire as it seems. The firm, one of the nation's largest lenders, recently unveiled a report on consumer spending. The report says that, despite the housing crisis, increasing prices and high unemployment, United States businesses should have a plan ready for an increase in consumer spending. The report also indicates that business can drive the trend. New JPMorgan report predicts consumer spending will rise. The report encourages American firms to share their wealth in the form of incremental dividend payouts and higher stock values in order to increase consumer wealth and, subsequently, consumer spending.

 
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ZippyDSMleeSomething I did by hand on my convertiable laptop, http://zippydsmlee.deviantart.com/art/Cotlop-zelda-unfinished-sketch-WIP-finish-373937163 forgot if I posted it befor.06/19/2013 - 7:44pm
ConsterAlso, I guess The War Z changed its name so they can scam some more people?06/19/2013 - 7:44pm
ConsterAE: when even HuffPo makes the same joke, it's not something you want to take credit for. :P06/19/2013 - 7:43pm
Andrew EisenHey look! The War Z changed its name to Infestation: Survivor Stories. http://infestationmmo.com/06/19/2013 - 7:23pm
Andrew EisenYou're going to have a lot of company in prison, RedMage. Most of the internet has stolen MY joke. Bastards!06/19/2013 - 7:06pm
RedMageThe cover art thing points to an industry trend of only wanting to appeal to teen boys despite the talk of "broadening the appealz"06/19/2013 - 6:17pm
RedMageI'd like to turn myself in for unintentional theft of a joke. Ignorance of the law is no excuse :o06/19/2013 - 6:17pm
Andrew EisenRemember the fight to get Last of Us's Ellie on the game cover? Check this out: http://cheezburger.com/758618624006/19/2013 - 6:12pm
Andrew EisenRedMage - Thief! You stole my joke! You're a horrible, loathesome person! Or you simply had the same idea and didn't read my earlier shout!06/19/2013 - 5:35pm
RedMageMaybe they're going to rename it the Xbox 18006/19/2013 - 5:26pm
IanCBet EA are pissed.06/19/2013 - 5:17pm
Andrew EisenAh, James is just a little quicker on the keyboard than I!06/19/2013 - 5:07pm
Craig R.Too little, too late.06/19/2013 - 4:52pm
DorthLousPWAHAHAHAH, the MS spinning sound woke me up :)06/19/2013 - 4:27pm
Andrew EisenMicrosoft's new console shall now be known as the Xbox One-Eighty.06/19/2013 - 4:17pm
Andrew EisenI imagine we were typing our respective shouts at the same time.06/19/2013 - 4:14pm
MaskedPixelanteSo Andrew... is there going to be a new poll now? I mean, the one about the XBO DRM is kinda no longer relevant.06/19/2013 - 4:13pm
Andrew EisenIn light of Xbox One's furious backpeddling on its DRM policies, I'm closing the poll for now. I'll probably write a new one later today or tomorrow.06/19/2013 - 4:11pm
IanCFound three people whining about this so far. Saying that its because of cheapasses and that its going to be horrible online now. W T and indeed F.06/19/2013 - 4:09pm
Andrew EisenTechnogeek - I agree but: "After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again." Why do I need to connect online to set up a system I'm not going to use online?06/19/2013 - 4:07pm
 

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