RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly forty percent of U.S. families plan to go out less and entertain more at home because of recent increases in fuel and energy costs, according to a just-completed national survey from retailer Circuit City Stores, Inc.
More than 4,200 men and women responded to Circuit City's holiday survey*. With the 2005 holiday shopping season about to begin, a majority (55 percent) said they plan to buy a gift for the entire family; of those respondents, 33 percent plan to buy home electronics for the family.
Other survey findings: -- Thirty-one percent said they would most like to receive a flat panel TV as a tech gift this holiday; 17 percent want a digital camera; and 13 percent want DVDs and CDs. -- The appeal of digital music is spreading beyond young enthusiasts. Seventy-eight percent of survey respondents said their interest in MP3 players is growing and heightened interest is seen across all adult age groups. -- Seventy-four percent said the ability to carry and manage a large music collection in a portable device attracts them to MP3 players; other respondents cited the availability of easy and legal downloads.
*The survey was commissioned by Circuit City Stores, Inc. and conducted on the Internet by Decision Analyst, Inc. of Arlington, Texas. The survey's margin of error is plus-or-minus 2%.
Flat panel TVs produce dramatic digital pictures in decor-friendly sets. Add price declines of around 30 percent in the past year and you have one hot product category. Flat panel TVs come in two formats, LCD and plasma, and a wide range of sizes.
The popularity of these digital players is skyrocketing, especially as sleek new designs are rolled out. The ability to show photos and video files has increased the momentum. Circuit City stores carry an average of 30 portable digital players from brands like Apple, Creative Labs, SanDisk, iRiver, Samsung, and Sony.
The "it" holiday item in the category this year is the iPod nano, starting at $199.99, available in black and white and in 2GB and 4GB versions. Circuit City carries more than 200 accessories for iPods; details at Circuit City's iPod Cafe at http://www.circuitcity.com .
One of the many new and cool iPod accessories is the Harman Kardon Drive + Play, $199.99. Drive + Play allows drivers to enjoy their playlists and keep their eyes on the road. Drive + Play works with 3rd and 4th generation iPods, color iPods, iPod mini and iPod nano.
Millions of American families now own digital cameras and many households are ready to upgrade to higher quality cameras. The new generation of digital cameras not only offers better picture resolution, compact size or longer zoom for the money ... some models also have exciting new features, such as the ability to send images wirelessly without a computer. Circuit City stores display an average of 40 digital cameras, starting at $109.99.
The popularity of digital satellite radio is growing fast as more and more people learn they can enjoy a hundred channels of crystal clear, commercial free broadcasting coast to coast. Satellite radio offers programming choices that simply cannot be matched by local broadcasters. Circuit City carries equipment for both Sirius and XM Satellite Radio services.
Navigation is growing in popularity as prices have come down and more models are offering pre-loaded, turn-by-turn directions. They are the ultimate in driving convenience and range from small, portable devices to installed units.
The news for video gamers this holiday season will be the launch of Microsoft's next generation Xbox(TM) 360 on November 22nd. (Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Revolution will roll out in 2006). Xbox(TM) 360 is the first of a new series of consoles that promise to revolutionize video gaming, offering stunning high definition game play and the ability to play all of your movies, music and images stored on a Media Center PC in the comfort of your living room.
Circuit City stores carry a comprehensive selection of the hottest new movie and music titles, with an even deeper selection at circuitcity.com.
Release dates are subject to change, but new CD titles are expected to be out during the holidays from Mariah Carey, Madonna, Kenny Chesney, 50-Cent, Ginuwine, Mary J. Blige, Rod Stewart, Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice and System of a Down.
Circuit City carries a variety of gadgets, from clocks to heated travel mugs to robotic vacuum cleaners, and children's electronics. Most of these items are under $25 and make great gifts or stocking-stuffers.
Spotlight gadgets: -- Centrios(TM) Digital Projection Clock, $17.99 -- Centrios(TM) Digital Clock with Thermometer, $5.99 -- Precision Micro Digital Camera, $29.99 -- iRobot Roomba Robotic FloorVac, $149.99 and $279.99 Spotlight toys: -- Scene It? The DVD Game(TM) Harry Potter(TM) Pack, $39.99 -- LeapFrog Fly(TM) Pentop Computer, $99.99 -- Shell Shocker(TM), $79.99: A transforming, radio-controlled creature -- Wow-Wee Silver Robosapien with Mini, $79.99 -- Gibson guitars, $149.99 acoustic and $199.99 electric About Circuit City Stores, Inc.
Circuit City Stores, Inc. (NYSE: CC - News ) is a leading specialty retailer of consumer electronics. The domestic segment operates through 622 Superstores and five mall-based stores in 157 U.S. markets. The international segment operates through more than 930 retail stores and dealer outlets in Canada. Circuit City also operates Web sites at http://www.circuitcity.com and http://www.thesourcecc.ca .
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