As we approach the holiday season, almost half of Czechs are preparing for their Christmas shopping. According to a recent survey by CZC, most respondents said they plan to gift electronics. The popular picks range from mobile phones and smartwatches to electric toothbrushes and robotic vacuum cleaners.
However, shoppers might have to dig deeper into their pockets this year. “Most categories have seen a slight increase in prices. Phones, which are of the most interest to users, have increased in price by an average of one percent. Smartwatches, even more, with a 17 percent increase,” says Veronika Geltner, a representative for the comparison site Zboží.cz.
Despite the price increase, the demand for electronics remains high. The survey revealed that 67 percent of respondents plan to gift electronics this Christmas, with only seven percent affirmatively stating they will not choose electronics as gifts.
Interestingly, the types of electronics in high demand are shifting compared to previous years. Traditionally, popular smartphones have likely reached market saturation, with sales declining by two percent in the past year. Contrarily, hair dryers and computer accessories like keyboards and monitors have seen a nearly quarter increase in sales.
Czechs also demonstrate their resourcefulness in these uncertain times, choosing to save money where possible. “An example can be seen in the increase in tool sales. Instead of hiring professionals for simpler tasks, people prefer to handle them themselves,” says Petra Psotková, a spokesperson for the company.
With the ongoing decline in retail sales, e-shops are seeing a revival, especially as the holiday season approaches. The CZC survey reveals that more than half of the respondents purchase gifts online, choosing home delivery or pickup from a nearby location.