I mentioned the latest study from OTX Research and eCRUSH on teen shopping in Ypulse Essentials the other day, but since we're on the verge of Black Friday or cyber Monday or whatever we call these annual holiday shopping blitzes. For any of you wondering what is topping teens' wish lists, here's what they said:

Where do they learn about cool, new products?

The interweb, of course (65 percent)
Friends come next (62 percent)
TV commercials third (54 percent)

We know they're headed to the malls (95 percent), but which stores are they going to?

Electronics (46 percent)
Bath & body (45 percent)
Music (surprise. surprise.) (41 percent)

Who gets the most of teens' hard earned money? ($100 or more)

Their sweetie (28 percent)
Mom and dad (20 percent)
Grandma and grandpa (18 percent)

What do they want most?

Money! (39 percent)
Laptop or desktop computer (30 percent)
Clothes (25 percent)
A new car! (24 percent)

If they could ask for just one gift, it would be:

Laptop/desktop computer (15 percent)
Money (12 percent)
Car (11 percent)

And as for the brands they want?

When specifically asked about brands, Apple was the most cited brand in the music technology category, Dell was ranked #1 for computers/laptops, the Motorola RAZR phone led the mobile phone category, and Microsoft’s X-Box 360 was the leading video game console, while Halo 3 was the leading video game. Abercrombie and Fitch was the clothing brand most teens say they want and when it comes to cars, Ford and Cheverolet brands were most cited.

I'm surprised by the RAZR vs. the iPhone and by American auto brands vs. Toyota and Honda. The biggest take away is that eCommerce still as a long way to go in attracting teens because of credit cards/payment and they view shopping as a social activity they do with their friends at the mall. The exceptions would be for online retailers selling something you can't find offline. Obviously teens check out retail websites to find what they want, but they are still buying it in person.

Update: Weekly Reader also surveyed tweens and teens 8-17 on which consoles and games they wanted and found...

Eight of 10 children said they would ask for a video game; the five favorites, the survey found, are Guitar Hero, Mario Party DS, Super Mario Galaxy, My Sims and Halo 3.

And nearly six out of 10 (59%) intend to ask for a console game system as a holiday gift. Most popular? The Nintendo Wii (32% plan to ask for it), followed by the Sony PlayStation 3 (19%) and Microsoft Xbox 360 (17%).

Source: USA Today

Posted by anastasia