The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) says that's what most people want, and they expect shoppers to spend about $232 each on average. So if you are undecided on whether to go for the electronic reader or that Flip Camera, the CEA has a list of the most popular products and can direct you to a guide on how to buy the right one.
In Studio Product List websites: www.ce.org(links to all these companies) and www.digitaltips.org
- Lenovo "IdeaPad" n2etbook computer $550
- Apple iPad $500 and up60
- Amazon Kindle $140 and up
- V-Tech "V-REader" kids e-book reader $
- Samsung Galaxy/ AT&T "Captivate" wireless phone $180w/service contract
- Swann pen camcorder
- Casio Exilim EX-H20G digital camera $349
- Micorsoft "Kinect" controller for XBox360 game player $150
- Entourage Edge "dualbook" tabet/e-reader $500
- Livio "Carmen" Internet Radio for cars $60
-RELEASE-
The Consumer Electronics Association annual survey cites that electronic gadgets ranked as the most-sought gift, with shoppers expected to spend $232 each on average, a 5 percent increase from last year. 'Tis the season! Topping the tech gift list this year are electronic readers like the Amazon's Kindle and Nikon digital cameras with HD movie capacity, Flip cams, hands free headsets, mini speakers, and earbuds.
This holiday season, spending on consumer electronics gifts will reach historic highs, despite an overall decline in gift spending, according to new research released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®. CEA unveiled the 17th Annual CE Holiday Purchase Patterns Study today at CEA's Industry Forum in San Francisco, a four-day conference designed to inform and connect leaders in the consumer electronics (CE) industry.
Consumer electronics will once again be the "hottest" gifts, both to give and to receive, this holiday season. Overall, consumers will spend $750 on holiday gifts, down two percent from last year. They will, however, spend more on CE gifts than ever before. Consumers will spend $232 on CE gifts, up five percent from last year and the highest level since CEA began tracking holiday spending. Nearly a third of consumers' total gift budgets will be allocated to CE. When it comes to spending, nearly half will buy a CE gift for children on their list, two in five will buy a CE gift for their spouse/significant other and 29 percent will buy CE for themselves.
"Giving electronics as a holiday gift, either to a loved one or to yourself, is more popular than ever," said Steve Koenig, CEA's director of industry analysis. "Not only are three in four adults planning to give CE as a gift this year, but more consumers want electronics as a gift for themselves, demonstrating that electronics will be the must-have gifts of the season."
Three of the top five, and four of the top ten, items on adults overall holiday gift wish list are electronics. Notebook/laptop computers and Apple's iPad ranked second and third on the list respectively, trailing only peace and happiness. eReaders and video game systems ranked fifth and ninth respectively. Among adults' holiday CE wish lists, notebooks, the iPad and eReaders topped the list.
Holiday Gift Wish List- Adults
- Peace/Happiness
- Notebook/Laptop
- iPad
- Clothes
- eReader
- Car/Motorcycle
- Family Together
- Good Health
- Video Game System
- Money
Holiday Electronics Gift Wish List- Adults
- Notebook/Laptop
- iPad
- eReader
- iPod/iPod Touch
- Video Game System
- Digital Camera
- Big Screen TV
- TV (unspecified)
- Computer (unspecified)
- Desktop PC
"Many innovative products new to the market are high on the gift list this year," said Koenig. "Consumers want the newest technologies, and stores that stock these products on their shelves will fare well this holiday season."
Overall, consumers will each spend an average of $1,412 this holiday on everything from gifts and decorations to travel and food. That's up three percent from last year, but still below recent historical levels as consumers remain guarded. Nearly seven out of ten consumers say they are adjusting holiday spending due to economic concerns, with a third reducing expenditures for reasons related to unemployment.
"While the recession officially ended a year and half ago, consumers remain very cautious this holiday," said Shawn DuBravac, CEA's chief economist and director of research. "Worries remain over the economy and employment picture, but there is optimism. Consumers will spend more this holiday than last, with one in five planning to increase their holiday budget compared to last year."
For guides on how to purchase the right consumer electronics device for everyone on your gift list, visit www.DigitalTips.org , CEA's consumer website offering guides, tips and advice for consumers.
CEA will also be releasing Black Friday sales figures on Sunday, November 28th.
The 17th Annual CE Holiday Purchase Pattern Study (October 2010) was conducted in September 2010. It was designed and formulated by CEA Market Research, the most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research and historical trends for the consumer electronics industry. Please cite any information to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®. A webcast presentation is scheduled for November 11 (3-4 PM ET). To register, visit www.CE.org/Events/webcasts.asp or email Steve Kidera at skidera@CE.org .
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $165 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also produces the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.
