Travel boosts sales of headphones and cameras – Gadget

According to GfK, several categories in the global consumer technology and durable goods (T&D) market are seeing record growth driven by the northern hemisphere’s summer tourism boom.

Travel and outdoor products such as headphones, cameras and grills, as well as innovative and premium products, consistently outperform the sector average.

“Despite several ongoing global challenges, the global T&D market is finally starting to recover,” says Nevin Francis, GfK Insights Expert for the T&D Industry. “Rising temperatures and the European Football Championship have put consumers in a party mood.

“For example, draught systems and party speakers have shown above-average growth in some countries, while leisure and travel products, such as wireless headband headphones, are also gaining ground. Even categories that were stagnant are coming back thanks to the recovery in summer travel, such as the premium segment of digital cameras.”

Headphones and cameras gain popularity as travel grows

As international tourism grows and returns to pre-pandemic levels, demand for related technology products that make travel more enjoyable and convenient is also growing. One example in this category is wireless headband headphones, whose sales grew by 22 percent year-on-year between January and April 2024, despite their already strong revenue share in 2023. Unlike True Wireless Headphones, which have a different usage scenario, the headband versions are designed for relaxing music listening and are more comfortable to wear, making them an ideal travel companion.

According to gfk newron Consumer, better sound quality (56 percent), longer battery life (42 percent) and active noise cancellation (39 percent) are the top reasons consumers choose headband-style headphones over true wireless headphones.

In addition to wireless headband headphones, consumers are also turning to digital cameras again – a real comeback. The premiumization trend is clearly visible here, with more sophisticated consumer groups opting for better and therefore more expensive devices. Overall, the category saw a 6 percent increase in revenue in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. Action cameras (up 29 percent) and small photo printers (up 6 percent) are also benefiting from consumers’ desire to take home vacation memories.

Summer is party time

Consumers are also investing more in technology and consumer durables to make their summer at home more enjoyable – especially in the run-up to the European Football Championship. Revenue from outdoor barbecues rose 3 per cent in the first four months of this year compared to the same period in 2023. Similarly, to keep things fresh, consumers turned to carbonated drinks, which saw above-average growth, with revenues up 11 per cent during the period. Additionally, for those looking to entertain at home, pouring systems have become a popular investment – ​​with Germany and Spain in particular seeing a surge in demand in the run-up to the European Football Championship.

Finally, a successful party requires the right music: Bluetooth party speakers with flashing lights and over 100 watts of power saw a significant 16 percent increase in revenue year-on-year, from January to April 2024.

“While consumers are still reluctant to invest heavily in technology, we are clearly seeing them start to indulge in small and medium-sized tech purchases again. In particular, products that enhance their summer and travel experiences are seeing renewed demand,” says Francis.