PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Tech gifts are expected to have a much higher profile this year as more people give more expensive gifts, according to the Deloitte Annual Christmas Retail Survey published today.
The survey also revealed that the majority, 74 per cent, of customers use online retailers to do their Christmas shopping, while another two-thirds will use it to do research, up from half last year.
Among the gifts that will be popular this year, it predicts, will be high tech products such as games consoles, computer games and MP3 players.
Tarlok Teji, head of retail at Deloitte, said: "This year, Christmas will go electric as consumers embrace the digital age. More people will shop online this year than ever before as the appeal of cyberspace to avoid the Christmas crush takes hold.
"High Street players are responding to this growing trend. Our research shows a huge growth in the number of retailers providing online stores this year compared to previous years (51 per cent in 2006, versus 72 per cent in 2007)."