The NPD Group, a leading consumer and retail information company, has released the results of its Annual Holiday Survey for the 2006 holiday shopping season.
“Overall,” Marshal Cohen, Chief Industry Analyst, The NPD Group, says “I think this holiday shopping season will look much the same as last year with growth, but modest growth.”
The biggest beneficiaries of this growth will be in the retail categories that contain “traditional” gift items.
Gifts like: clothing, toys, books, music and fragrances look to be gaining traction. NPD's survey respondents said they intend to spend more money on clothing and toys this year versus last year.
Spending Intentions - '06 vs. '05: Category: Plan to Purchase '06 Purchased '05, Clothing 65 percent 64, Fragrances 27 percent 25 percent.
“This season will be marked by the return of shoppers to the 'tried and true' gift items. Things like clothing and toys should see gains,” Cohen says, adding, “Consumer Electronics will make a contribution to this season's growth with notebooks and flat-panel televisions doing well.”
On the home front, the NPD survey shows consumers are planning to spend more on everything from Home Décor to Home Improvement to Home Appliances. Cohen says, “Despite recent economic news about falling home values, I think consumers will look to 'feather their nests' this season.
Everything from small decorative items to small and large domestic appliances will contribute to growth in this area.”
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