WORLDWIDE SURVEY SHOWS GLOBAL APPETITE FOR HIGH TECH GADGETS IS STRONG

A recent GMIPoll focusing on new personal technology purchasing patterns revealed that new technology’s appeal is strong worldwide. The GMIPoll (www.gmipoll.com), which surveys 20,000 consumers in 20 countries, found that 59 per cent have a need for more technology.

In all countries, save the U.S., the PC has overtaken TV as the one technology that people cannot live without. The GMIPoll found that 75 per cent of consumers ranked their PC as their must-have technology, compared to 67 per cent for TV, while the mobile phone came in at a close third with 54 per cent.

Looking at what new technology consumers are most likely to purchase in 2005, overall the GMIPoll found that digital cameras were the most popular with nearly 40 per cent choosing this over wireless, home printing and DVR technology. There is also evidence that demand for digital cameras could trigger a mini-boom in home printing, especially in markets like China where cameras came in at 60 percent and home printing a close second with 47 per cent of those polled.

When consumers were asked which technology they most frequently upgrade with the newest models, 63 per cent cited mobile phones. The readiness to replace the old mobile phone with the latest wireless technology seems strongest in Asia and South America. Almost 75 per cent of the consumers surveyed in India and China, and 67 per cent in South America, said they upgraded their mobile more frequently than any other technology. This compares to 47 percent of American or 37 per cent of French consumers.

In regards to what might prevent consumers from upgrading their gadgets, worldwide 79 percent cited cost and contract terms as the overwhelming reason.

The influences on consumers’ purchasing choices of new technology vary globally. In the West, the survey suggests that word of mouth is the biggest influence, as opposed to advertising. But in the fastest growing economies of Asia, like India and China, advertising came in as the number one influencer, with 70 per cent of polled consumers. Celebrity endorsement, however, makes the least impact globally with only six per cent of those polled saying it influenced their technology purchasing decisions.

Full findings from the poll can be found at: http://www.worldpoll.com/

About GMI
GMI is the only company that provides a full spectrum of integrated solutions for global market research, including Net-MR advanced software, global panels, and service bureau capabilities. GMI’s double opt-in managed panels are the world’s largest, with more than 200 participating countries, and offer a single solution for global sample. Founded in 1999, GMI has operations on five continents. More information is available at www.gmi-mr.com.



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