Streaming media devices to top holiday gift sales

Streaming media devices, games consoles and other connected entertainment goods, as well smart watches, will be the most popular gifts this holiday season, according to Parks Associates. 

Parks said that 37% of smart watches, 25% of streaming media devices and 20% of gaming consoles acquired in 2014 were received as gifts. It also named tablets, e-book readers, motion controllers, DVRs, MP3 players, and internet-connectable music systems as other popular consumer electronics gifts.

“In 2013, 46% of Google Chromecasts and 37% of streaming media players, such as the Roku 3 and Apple TV, were purchased as gifts,” said Parks Associates director of research, Barbara Kraus.

“The two new streaming sticks this year—the Roku HDMI Streaming Stick and the Amazon Fire TV Stick—have similar functionality as the regular streaming players at a much lower price point. However, the Amazon Fire TV Stick will not be available until mid-January, which leaves the field open for Google and Roku.”