Holiday games sales to get boost from girls

Blu-ray to increase holiday electronics sales slightly, says NRF

By Danny King -- Video Business, 11/18/2008

NOV. 18 | Videogame sales during the holidays are likely to get a boost from parents shopping for girls while the popularity and price drop of Blu-ray players will increase electronics sales slightly during the shopping period following the Thanksgiving holiday, the National Retail Federation said in a report this week.

Among the 10 most popular toys for girls, Nintendo's Wii games console rose to No. 5 from No. 7 last year while videogame software was No. 6, marking the first time in the survey's history that videogame software has cracked the Top 10 for girls, NRF said, citing a poll taken by BIGResearch. As with last year, videogames and Nintendo Wii were among the most sought-after toys for boys.

Meanwhile, 30% of those polled said they planned on buying Blu-ray players or other electronics components, up from 29% last year and marking the largest year-over-year increase out of any retail category. As with last year, more than half of those polled said they planned to buy clothes, DVDs or CDs and gift cards, NRF said.

"We continue to see electronics merging into the toy space," NRF senior director of strategic communications Ellen Davis said in a conference call today. Davis added that many bargain-minded consumers may wait until Black Friday, or the day after Thanksgiving, to seek out lower-priced gifts.

General-merchandise and electronics retailers will try to spur holiday sales with promotions and discounts aimed at luring consumers who've likely cut back spending amid the U.S. economic downturn.

Retailers such as Sam's Club are selling Blu-ray titles such as The Aviator and March of the Penguins for $10.87 while K-mart and Radio Shack are preparing to sell Sony and Samsung Blu-ray players for less than $200 on according to NPD Group.