Consumers are spending more prudently

Retailers are bracing for a bumper festive season, but some are hedging their bets and providing cheaper gift alternatives.

Apple iPad 2s, cameras, Garmins, mobile DStvs, TVs with Skype capability and electronic games and gadgets top the Christmas wish lists for adults and teens this year; while more traditional gifts like Lego sets, baby born dolls, cuddly toys and car sets are proving popular for younger children, according to retailers.

Massdiscounters spokeswoman Shelley Kreinacke said the retailer, which owns Game and Dion Wired stores, expected top gifts for adults to be tablets, cameras, laptops, smart phones, treadmills and sewing machines. The big sellers for children include WIIs, Playstation 3s, trampolines, bicycles, scooters and MX ride-ons.

“We expect consumers to once again spoil themselves over the festive season, although our sense is that they will be somewhat more cautious and pragmatic in their spending patterns.

“While there are some signs of consumer confidence returning, the market remains fragile,” Kreinacke said.

“As was the case last year, we expect many consumers to replace extravagant purchases with more practical purchases. Many consumers will travel less this year and that means they will spend more time at home entertaining, and we expect a strong performance in the related categories,” Kreinacke said.

Topping the wish list for children according to Issy Zimmerman, the CEO of to Toys R Us SA and Reggies, were Chatimals – cuddly toys which mimic what you say and chat back – which sold more than 10 000 units within four weeks of being locally launched.

Hot gifts for girls include the Baby Born doll, swimming doll and a vanity table with remote control. Topping that for boys are the Crazy Cars demolition set, Carrera Go Champions, remote control hovercraft and the FastLane monster truck.

Long-time favourite DVD The Lion King is back after a two-year absence and PlayStation games PS3 Battlefield 3 and Skylanders Spyro Adventures Starter Pack are also favourites.

And Zimmerman has taken cognisance of the tough economic times by providing a list of more than a dozen decent gifts under R100, including trucks and bulldozers, kitchen sets, and the Steffi family and a mega art set.

“We are offering our customers an affordable range of quality products that are sure to bring loads of smiles,” Zimmerman said.

Toy Shop manager at The Pavilion Shopping Centre, Pat McCallum, said the Leapster Explorer Leap Pad updated version with camera and recorder for R1 200 was popular, but stocks were limited. Other big hits were remote-control cars and helicopters.

“We are selling plenty of Lego and a variety of smaller things this year such as science crafts, puzzles and arts and crafts. Another big thing this year is Sylvanian families, which come in mice, bunnies and kitties,” McCallum added.

DionWired general manager Andrew Jackson said the team’s buyers had predicted the Christmas stocking wish-list expected to include Nintendo 3DS with Super Mario 3D Land. For teens choices would include the PS3 320GB Move Bundle console plus Move Starter Pack, Sports Champions and Heroes on the Move for R3 600, and the JBL iPhone and iPad Dock OnBeat XTR for R4 900, McCallum said.

Big sellers for adults are expected to be the Apple iPad 2 and smart cover, which attaches magnetically; the Apple iPhone 4S with new features such as 8MP and 1080 Full HD and iCloud; while the Blackberry Torch 9810 smartphone (R5 500) and Samsung Galaxy S II smartphone (R6 300) were also on the list.

Then there is the DStv Mobile Drifta (R600) which receives a DVB-H signal, converts it into WiFi and relays it to a WiFi enabled viewing device such as a cellphone, laptop, PC, tablets and most smartphones. The device is compatible with the iPhone, iPad, iPod and PCs including laptops and notebooks.

Cameras and Garmins are also anticipated to be big sellers this season, McCallum said.

Other high-end gifts include the Kenwood food processor for R4 000, the Delonghi digital Prima Donna automatic coffee machine and the LG 50 inch Pentouch plasma TV for R10 000 or the Samsung 46 inch 3D smart full high-definition LED TV (R15 000) – which has 3D full high-definition, 2D to 3D conversion, built-in WiFi, 3x USB, Skype and web browsing. - Independent on Saturday