US consumer electronics spending to rise this Christmas: CEA

(AFP/DIEGO TUSON)

US consumer electronics spending is expected to be slightly better this Christmas season than last year, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) said Monday in its annual survey.

Consumers plan to spend an average of 222 dollars on consumer electronics this holiday, up eight percent over last year, the CEA said, and four out of five adults plan on buying consumer electronics products this holiday.

The CEA said half of those surveyed said they planned to buy a consumer electronics product for themselves this holiday season.

"Consumers remain wary but there are signs of optimism in our holiday forecast," said CEA chief economist and director of research Shawn DuBravac. "As the holiday approaches, consumer appetite for technology highlights the resiliency of the tech sector."

The CEA said computers, videogames, televisions and digital cameras make up four of the top 10 items on holiday gift wish lists.

It said Blu-ray players, electronic book readers and netbooks, low-cost mini-laptop computers, made top 10 wish lists for the first time, joining mainstays such as notebook computers, portable MP3 players and flat-panel TVs.