In a surge reminiscent of bustling holiday seasons past, devices like tablets, wireless headphones, and digital cameras marked significant year-over-year sales increases.
Amidst a vibrant flurry of holiday sales, consumers eagerly embraced the allure of new technological marvels and electronic gadgets. Recent figures from Circana unveiled an impressive 3.5% rise in total U.S. consumer technology spending during the two weeks culminating on December 7, 2024, compared to the same festive window a year prior. This uptick follows a prolonged eight-quarter decline in consumer electronics revenues—a slump that emerged in the aftermath of the pandemic’s tech-fueled boom.
Digging deeper, Circana’s data showcases an intriguing landscape: sales of notebook computers experienced a commendable 9% surge year-over-year, while desktop computers followed suit with a 7% increase, albeit alongside a modest drop in average selling prices. Tablets, the darlings of the tech world, flaunted a remarkable 13% growth, continuing their relentless ascent even after enduring six consecutive months of impressive double-digit gains.
In a twist of consumer behavior, despite an overarching decline in revenue from televisions during the holiday stretch of Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2023, sales of TVs measuring more than 75 inches soared by an astounding 20%. Additionally, OLED TV sales marked a noteworthy 12% increase—testament to the idea that not all consumers were fixated on budget-friendly options, even amidst persistent inflationary pressures.
Moreover, both VR headsets and AR glasses—once sizzling hot gifts from the previous holiday season—saw combined sales during the Black Friday and Cyber Week period leap by 17%. Adding to the excitement, the market for fitness trackers experienced a meteoric rise, with sales more than doubling compared to last year’s figures, particularly boosted by innovations like smart rings.
As the holiday shopping season continues to unfold, these insights paint a dynamic portrait of consumer technology trends, illustrating a complex interplay between shifting preferences and resilient market pathways in this ever-evolving industry.
