The holidays are upon us and for weeks I've already heard 24-7 Christmas music playing on some radio stations. Today through Thursday I'm gearing up for my Black Friday shopping-spree by paging through ads and websites to see what I should run after. The National Retail Federation/BiGresearch, comScore, Consumer Electronics Association and Consumer Reports surveyed and found out what the hot items this season are.
Top Consumer Trends:
More discretionary gifts: Longtime favorites still rule -- gift cards, books, clothes, CDs and DVDs, but the number of people who want a gift of jewelry under the tress is up 13 percent from last year.
Gift cards: After growing in popularity by double digits, gift card sales grew only slightly last years as retailed continued to offer deep discounts. This year experts predict more practical gift cards for grocery stores, restaurants and home improvement centers will be under Christmas trees.
Value over price: Even though rock-bottom prices seem to be important, it appears that consumers are considering quality more lately.
Fewer gifts for self: Almost a third of people say they'll cut back on buying themselves gifts, putting more toward charitable giving and gifts for others.
Click and buy: Many people I've been talking to say they don't want to bother with the crowds during the holidays - they'll be doing most of their shopping online. Online spending is expected to grow by nine percent, twice last year's pace. and online shopping say they'll spend almost a quarter more.
Going mobile: Practically 27 percent of those who own a smart phone will use it in their research or buying.
Gadgets: Consumers plan to spend give percent more on consumer electronics this year; nearly a third will buy nothing but consumer electronics. At the top of the gift-giving list: video game consoles, MP3 players, notebook/laptops. TVs, which had been the most popular category in recent years, fell to No. 6.
Cash is king: Slightly more than a quarter of shoppers say they'll charge their gifts, the lowest since 2002. Four in 10 people say they'll cut back on credit and debit card spending.
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