How Did Consumer Electronics Spend the Holidays?

The holiday period, which extends from November 18 to December 22, saw consumer electronics sales decline throughout the five-week period, according to the global information company The NPD Group.

Sales were strongest at the beginning of the season, with 46 percent of purchases taking place in the first two weeks. But overall sales declined 7 percent compared to 2011 results, as shoppers spent only $13.7 billion on consumer electronics during the period.

“For the third consecutive year sales trends worsened in the later part of the holiday season,” said Stephen Baker, vice president and industry analysis at NPD. “The hyped-up promotion of Black Friday, Cyber Monday and now Thanksgiving Day has proven remarkably effective in moving sales into the early part of the holiday season. Trends like online shopping and self-gifting have intensified the focus on the more event -driven early part of the holiday season.”

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