Women Control $90B in Consumer Electronic Purchases

By Edmund Dantes Hamilton
Editor, MyIWN

How much influence do women have over consumer electronic purchases? $90 billion dollars worth in 2007, according to research from the Consumer Electronics Association. Women's interest in gadgets has not declined, inching up a point from 81% in 2005 to 82% today. Men are only slightly more interested, dispelling the myth women are unconcerned about technology.

On the Home Front

Adoption of consumer electronic devices are split about even at home when it comes to men and women with a minor variation. Homes occupied by women typically have televisions and cell phones whereas men adorn themselves with surround sound systems, portable digital media players, hand-held GPS devices, and in-dash CD players.

Influential Women

On average, 40% of women are comfortable making decisions themselves about the latest tech product. In addition, 21% were actively involved in making a purchase decision with their partners. As a result, 61% of women influence household consumer electronic buying, an increase of 4 percentage points from 2004 CEA research.

Women Command Nearly Half of $200B CE Market

Sales are expected to reach $200 billion this year for all CE devices, and women will contribute $90 billion spent at retail and online, or 45% of the total.

CEA Projects $22B Consumer Electronics Holiday Season

By Edmund Dantes Hamilton
Editor, MyIWN

Fourth quarter sales of gadgets and technology devices will reach $48 billion dollars this year according to a recent 14th Annual CE Holiday Purchase Patterns report from the Consumer Electronics Association, an industry trade group and producer of International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Veagas, Nevada.
“Consumer electronics will be the shining star of holiday retail sales, accounting for 22 percent of all gifts given,” said CEA Economist Shawn DuBravac. “Two of the top 5 items on adults’ holiday wish lists are consumer electronics, and four of the top 5 items on the teen list are CE devices, so today’s hottest technologies will be on every holiday shopper’s mind.

Consumers Plan to Shop Later Buy Less Electronics Holiday '07

Data from NPD Group's online consumer panel suggests electronics will be purchased by only 38 percent of shoppers in 2007 compared to 51 percent last year. Clothing topped the list with toys and books coming in third and fourth behind electronics.

Consumer Spending Intentions
Category	Plan to Purchase '07	Purchased '06
Clothing	54%	59%
Electronics	38%	51%
Toys	37%	39%
Books	33%	32%
Music	26%	26%
Fragrances	22%	23%
(Percentage of survey respondents)

Source: The NPD Holiday Survey of Consumer Purchase Intentions was fielded September 10 to September 17, 2007.