(Newswire.net — November 18, 2016) — We’ve reached the holiday season and the Christmas shopping has begun. Shopping centers are decked with red and green decorations. It’s hard to escape the shopping frenzy that will soon take over the populace, just as it does every year.
To get ahead of the craze, families, friends, and employers have begun searching for the perfect gifts for this holiday season, with the majority of that research taking place online. According to research from Search Engine Watch, approximately 62 percent of gift givers begin their search on Amazon and more than 44 percent take to Google.
Since such a large percentage of the population does their shopping online, it offers copious amounts of data regarding the most popular gift ideas for the season. Though the data won’t be entirely conclusive until the end of the year, here are some of the most researched gifts as of right now.
Gift Cards
This classic gift idea will likely always be a favorite. As of 2015, nearly 93 percent of American consumers reported sending or receiving a gift card, according to Gift Card Granny. Furthermore, the revenue generated from gift cards in America is expected to reach a whopping $160 billion by 2018.
The two most popular types are restaurant and department store gift cards. They each make up 34 percent of all gift cards purchased. They’re easy to buy and always a crowd pleaser, since everyone has to eat, and department stores offer a wide selection of merchandise, increasing the satisfaction attached to the gift.
Customization
Anything that’s personalized to match a consumer’s taste is sure to be a big hit this Christmas. The ability to add words, monikers, favorite colors, and more is and always popular among gift recipients. As a result of the demand, about 83 percent of Fortune 500 companies that offer products have customization as an option, a trait that customers are very fond of.
There are countless options for customized products. A popular one for this year is photo printing. Be it canvas, blankets, or even Christmas ornaments, shoppers are turning to tailored photo printing for gifts because it’s always a big hit during the holidays.
Latest Tech
Is it any surprise that tech gadgets are some of the most researched and coveted items? Technology ownership is through the roof right now with more than 68 percent of Americans owning smartphones in 2015. Approximately 85 percent of those between the ages of 18 and 49 own a smartphone, 73 percent own a desktop or laptop, 45 percent a tablet computer, and 40 percent at least one gaming console.
These statistics from Pew Research Center, coupled with the popular search trends from year to year, underscore the sheer popularity of technology as a great gift idea. Right now, some of the top tech gadgets on the market include:
- Apple iPhone 7
- Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet
- Wireless earbuds (various brands)
- Roku Express
- Microsoft Xbox One S
- Fitbit Charge 2
- Apple Watch Series 2
- Amazon Echo
- Bluetooth speaker (various brands)
- Apple TV (4th Generation)
These are just a few of the many gifts that anyone under 60 years old would enjoy. A quick online search will show you the most popular items and recommendations for what your loved ones might like. The data will continue to flow, and you’ll find suggestions for even the pickiest of recipients.