New data from GfK’s annual FutureBuy survey of shoppers shows a dramatic turn in the effect of “showrooming” (shoppers looking at/picking items in stores, then buying them online) with a decided edge going to brick-and-mortar retailers. The survey tracks omni-channel shoppers – both those engaged in showrooming and those that conduct “webrooming” (shopping an item online, but then buying it in a retail store) – in 17 countries and across 15 product segments…including consumer electronics.
Consumer Trends
Do You REALLY Know What Kind of Behavior Your Customers Expect of You?
A new survey from Cohn & Wolfe – and discussed on MarketingCharts.com – suggests a possible sea change in the expectations of your customers as to the behavior of your company. We’ve seen some other similar surveys…and if you haven’t gotten clued in to this yet – well read on, the results may surprise you…
Do you REALLY know what your customers expect of you? Check out the results below… [Read more…] about Do You REALLY Know What Kind of Behavior Your Customers Expect of You?
What Do Homeowners Really Want from a ‘Smart Home’ System?
52% of Americans Say Having a Smart Home is at Least Somewhat Important to Them
In an new study on consumer attitudes about smart home technology, we find some interesting insights. Some seem logical…while others are a bit of a surprise. We were surprised to find out that more than half of all Americans feel that having a smart home is at least somewhat important to them. And 21% – more than one in five Americans – said having a smart home is very or fairly important to them.
Do consumers want a pro to install their smart home tech? Or will they DIY it?… [Read more…] about What Do Homeowners Really Want from a ‘Smart Home’ System?
If $100,000 Unexpectedly Dropped into Your Lap, How Would You Spend It?
Imagine for a moment that you won the lottery, or gained an inheritance, of a substantial amount of money…say, $100,000. How would you spend it? That was the intriguing question pollster Harris Interactive asked an online panel of U.S. Internet users. Would they buy a new car? Would they remodel their home to add a home theater? Would they buy a nice present for their spouse? Would they donate some or all of it to charity?
Think you know YOUR customer? Then you better check out this survey – the answers to the above scenario may surprise you. [Read more…] about If $100,000 Unexpectedly Dropped into Your Lap, How Would You Spend It?
Streaming Music is Even More Popular Than You Think
Just about every dealer and integrator (and manufacturer, for that matter) is acutely aware of how popular streaming music is with their clients/customers. Now, new industry statistics, reported on by market researcher eMarketer, provides a dramatic indicator of just how popular streaming music has become. And it is likely much more popular than you could imagine.
Just how popular are streaming music services? See below for some dramatic numbers… [Read more…] about Streaming Music is Even More Popular Than You Think
Consumer Confidence Index at Lowest Level in 7 Months
The Conference Board released today its closely watched Consumer Confidence Index – a monthly reading on the sentiment of consumers about the economy. The reading for the month of November at 70.4 fell slightly from the October reading of 72.4. October, however, had fallen sharply from the September and the current reading is the lowest since April.
What’s dragging consumer confidence down at this critical holiday shopping season?… [Read more…] about Consumer Confidence Index at Lowest Level in 7 Months
Homebuilders Report the Next Great Home Add-On is Solar Panels Built-In – To the Roof & the Mortgage
Granite countertops – at one time considered an amenity – are now considered a standard option for most folks building new homes. Now, Bloomberg is reporting that the next granite countertops – is solar panels.
How hot are solar panels? According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, demand for systems that generate electricity at home will jump 56 percent nationwide this year. In fact, two communities in California have passed legislation mandating solar panels in all new construction.
See more on this rapidly growing green energy trend… [Read more…] about Homebuilders Report the Next Great Home Add-On is Solar Panels Built-In – To the Roof & the Mortgage
Praying at CEA’s Church of Data Dominion
CE Week kicked off last week with a Research Summit where the Consumer Electronics Association’s (CEA) market research experts presented the latest market data, along with their assessment of its meaning – and their prognostications for the future. In past years, this was a presentation that was included as part of the Line Show – now it has been split off as a separate day-long event including not only raw data, but various discussion panels as well.
And the data did not disappoint… [Read more…] about Praying at CEA’s Church of Data Dominion
Gibson and Onkyo Go Wireless
The Wireless Speaker and Audio Association (WiSA) announced on Tuesday that it has signed up several new members and a couple caught our eye – Gibson Guitar Corp. (now Gibson Brands) and Onkyo Corporation. Also joining the organization are loudspeaker manufacturer Dali and Australian distributor Amber Technology who markets a line of speakers called Accent Digital.
Who is the WiSA and why would Onkyo and Gibson join? See more below… [Read more…] about Gibson and Onkyo Go Wireless
Strata-gee.com’s Ted Green Featured in Consumer Website Article on Home Automation
MyMove.com, a website and blog dedicated to any and all issues surrounding a homeowner’s moving, this week posted an article on home automation that featured three industry experts – Delia Hansen, Marketing Solutions Manager at Crestron; Michael Braithwaite, Chief Strategy Officer for ClearOne, manufacturer of the NetStream DigiLinx home control system; and Strata-gee.com’s very own Ted Green. Written by Dawn Allcot – principal of Allcot Media, the post was titled Whole-Home Automation: Convenience, Savings and Sustainability.
