Tablet Computers More In-Demand Than Peace And Happiness This Christmas
A recent survey finds iPads are more desirable than happiness this Christmas.
Consumers are expected to spend more on gifts this Christmas, especially on electronics, gadgets, and other techno goodies. According to a new study by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), overall consumer spending is expected to increase 11% this year, with spending on consumer electronics expected to account for nearly a third of all gift spending.
According to the organization's 19th Annual CE Holiday Purchase Patterns Study, consumers are planning to spend $842 to spend on gifts this holilday season—that's up 9% from last year. Of this amount, shoppers are planning to spend $252 on electronics, which is slightly up from last year's $246. In fact, three-in-four gift-giving adults plan to purchase consumer electronics as gifts this year.
Part of the upsurge this year is likely due to continued (if not lugubrious) improvement in the economy as well as consumer demand for the bevy of new digital doohickeys such as smartphones (iPhone 5, Galaxy S3), tablets (iPad mini, Galaxy 7, Kindle Fire HD), and video games. DATA: How your neighbors are spending their money on electronics.
“Consumers are feeling more confident in the overall direction of the economy this holiday season compared to last year and, as a result, will spend more on gifts, including electronics,” said Shawn DuBravac, CEA’s chief economist and senior director of research. “CE continues to play a leading role in holiday shopping and this year is no exception, as consumers will dedicate a large portion of their overall gift budget towards electronics, specifically mobile connected devices.”
Aside from hardware gadgets, other electronics accessories such as headphones, carrying cases, and memory cards will likely be popular gifts this year. More than three-fourths (77%) of US adults are planning to give a gift card as a present this year. One in four consumers (26%) will give a gift card for digital music purchases, 20% for electronic book purchases, 16% for app purchases, and 15% for online gaming purchases. Are premium headphones worth the extra Benjamins?
According to the survey, when asked what they would like for a gift this holiday season, adults respondents chose "tablet computers" and "money" over "peace/happiness." The Christmas wish list survey was rounded-out by "smartphone" and "laptop computer." The top 15 mobile stores near you
The survey also shows that consumers are willing to put in the work for the best deals. Two-thirds plan to compare the price of electronics online and more than a quarter (28%) plan to search through social media sites for deals.
“Consumers will be in search of deals this holiday and will be using a variety of channels to find the best possible price on all gifts,” said DuBravac. “Comparison shopping in stores and online will be very common among consumers. They’ll also turn to friends and family, social media, advertisements, circulars and a number of other methods to find the best deals.”
It may only mid-October, but that's never too early to start preparing for the hellish embodiments that is Christmas shopping.
Baby with iPad courtesy of Henriksent
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Evan Dashevsky is the Editor of Bundle.com, follow him @haldash
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