Sales of consumer electronics are projected to jump 9% this holiday season, with MP3 players topping shopping lists and wish lists.
Overall spending is forecast to increase 14% per household, from $1,254 to $1,430, over last year, factoring in gifts, decorations, food, travel and other assorted holiday expenses, according to the Consumer Electronics Association’s 12th Annual Holiday Sales and Forecast survey
“Peace, happiness, health— consumer electronics— on the wish lists of Americans this holiday season” said CEA Director of Industry Analysis Sean Wargo, in a statement. “Despite concern about the overall economy, consumers intend to purchase, as well as hope to receive, a plethora of consumer electronics gifts this holiday season. More, our survey indicates that retailers and consumers alike will be humming a happy tune entering the New Year, as results show the MP3 player is going to be one of the hottest sellers.”
According to CEA’s Annual Holiday Spending Survey, which tracks the consumer electronics devices consumers intend to give as gifts, as well as those they hope to receive, the MP3 player topped both lists this year displacing the digital camera at the top of the gift list and the plasma TV at the top of the wish list from last year’s survey.
In fact, interest in buying the MP3 players has jumped to 28% from 20% last year. Sales from the players rose 105% so far this year, according to CEA Market Research.
Other items on consumers’ wish lists included (in order of preference): plasma television, digital camera, laptop PC, big screen TV, desktop PC, video game system, high-definition television, DVD recorder and home theater speakers or system. The gift-giving list included: portable MP3 player, digital camera, video game system, cordless phone, home DVD player, portable headset CD, game peripherals, DVD recorder, cell phone and laptop PC.
The holiday survey also found that sales of gift certificates continue to grow reaching 32% this year, up from 30% last year.
CEA is the trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. The association represents more than 2,000 corporate members.
