The virtual/augmented reality retail category in the U.S. had a very successful 2021 holiday period (Nov. 21 – Dec. 25, 2021), with sales up 180% and 153%, respectively, versus the prior year, according to new data from The NPD Group.
Based on NPD’s Weekly Retail Tracking Service data, sales growth of VR/AV products was slightly lower for full-year 2021, up 163% in unit sales and 137% in revenue compared with the previous year.
Ben Arnold
“This year’s holiday gains come as consumers continue to look for unique entertainment experiences and also likely benefited from challenges consumers faced in securing popular gaming consoles,” Ben Arnold, executive director and technology industry analyst for NPD, said in a statement.
Arnold believes that as new devices become available, and the consumer base has an opportunity to grow, he expects positive momentum in the year ahead — starting with 32% revenue growth in the first half of the year.
“The Metaverse, VR/AR, and smart glasses will be areas to watch in 2022,” he said.
The For Your Entertainment (f.y.e.) retail chain Jan. 4 reported a 12% decrease in winter holiday sales to $72 million for the nine-week period through Dec. 31, 2017, compared to $81.8 million in the previous-year period. One of the last…
In a year where consumer electronics and home technology have played a key role for house-bound families due to the coronavirus pandemic, new data from The NPD Group suggests fourth-quarter CE sales will increase 18% compared with the same period…
Sales of detachable tablets (convertible laptops with keyboard), including iPad and Galaxy, increased 10.3% to 6.5 million units in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the previous-year period, according to new data from IDC. Tablet sales for the year…
GameStop Jan. 12 saw shares fall more than 11% in midday trading after the nation’s largest video game retailer warned of a $300 million to $400 million impairment charge in the fourth quarter, ending March 31. The company related the…