What’s Hot and What’s Not on PriceMe

For Immediate Release

25th November 2011

From: PriceMe

What’s Hot and What’s Not on PriceMe this Christmas ?
Each year in the lead-up to Christmas, we track what products are searched for the most, and what are trending up or down.

Continuing in its top spot again this year, the Apple iPhone was the most requested product in 2011. iPhone-related searches have increased by 36% compared to last year. Searches for the new iPhone 4S have rapidly increased since it was released in New Zealand recently. However, the Samsung Galaxy S phone competes with rival iPhone 4 and 4S in the number of searches, and have surged almost 600% since last year.

The fastest growing search keyword on PriceMe is “iPad”. Searches related to iPads (including iPad 2) have increased 1,800% since last year, with interest in tablets in general increasing by some 260% ! Other members of the tablet family such as ebook readers, are also trending upwards. Searches for Kindle (finally available in NZ !) have grown by 240% and ebook readers in general by 40%.

“There’s always a few surprises when we measure what our users are looking at” says Chris Palmer, Marketing Director at PriceMe. “This year the number of searches for fridges has increased by 45% year on year, with bar fridges being a particularly hot item during RWC !” “Whiteware is often seen as a “barometer” product that consumers purchase when they’re feeling confident about the economy” says Palmer. Similarly, searches for microwave ovens were up 101% and lawnmowers jumping from almost zero last year to being in the top 30 products searched this year !

One of the hottest search terms overall was for the mega-hit video game Modern Warfare 3, indicating it could be a great Xmas pressie for game-crazy kids (just check they haven’t already ordered one online first !). Overall interest in PS3 video games has remained constant over the year, while searches for PSP games have increased by 92%. Other hot game searches are Skyrim (from Elder Scrolls) and traditional Lego.

What’s Hot
Apple iPad + 1,800
Samsung Galaxy S + 600%
Amazon Kindle + 240%
Microwave ovens (general) + 101%
PSP video games + 92%
Fridges (general) + 45%
eBook readers (general) + 40%
Apple iPhone + 36%

What’s Cold
Freeview (TV) products - 53%
Apple iPods - 31%
Expresso machines (general) - 29%
Trampolines - 26%
Kinect games - 25%

Methodology
Search activity was compared on PriceMe.co.nz for the period 1st -16th November 2011 and 2010, using Google Analytics as a measuring tool. Differences between search volume over the two periods has been accounted for in the analysis. A total of 40,813 searches were analysed.

About PriceMe
PriceMe is New Zealand’s leading comparison shopping site, with around half a million visitors per month, carrying out their pre-purchase research on prices and product reviews. With over 250 reputable retailers featured, shoppers can arm themselves with all the info they need to purchase products with a high degree of confidence, knowing they have selected the best products at the best price from the best retailers.
www.priceme.co.nz

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